Search

Reverse engineering is the primary step to analyze a piece of malware. After having disassembled a malware binary, a reverse engineer needs to spend extensive effort analyzing the resulting assembly code, and then documenting it through comments in the assembly code for future references. In this paper, we have developed an assembly code clone search system called ScalClone based on our previous work on assembly code clone detection systems. The objective of the system is to identify the code clones of a target malware from a collection of previously analyzed malware binaries. Our new contributions are summarized as follows: First, we introduce two assembly code clone search methods for malware analysis with a high recall rate. Second, our methods allow malware analysts to discover both exact and inexact clones at different token normalization levels. Third, we present a scalable system with a database model to support large-scale assembly code search. Finally, experimental results on real-life malware binaries suggest that our proposed methods can effectively identify assembly code clones with the consideration of different scenarios of code mutations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Investigating a k -out-of- N system to minimize costs of spare parts supplying. • Considering quality of spares part. • Quality and cost tradeoff of suppliers. • Implementing probably tree, Markov chain and Monte Carlo simulation methods implemented to model the problem. Spare parts management is one of the most important aspects in industrial systems where a large number of spare parts are stocked to replace with failed parts and reduce the system's downtime. In this study, it is supposed that the quality of spare parts can differ from the quality of the original parts since they might be supplied from different suppliers. This problem is modeled by using the probability tree and Markov chains approach to determine the optimal number of spare parts, their supplier, and appropriate quality, leading to minimization of the system's total cost and or system's total availability. Meanwhile, highly expensive parts cause large investment. In this study, a k -out-of- N redundant system is modeled in which by failing each part it is replaced by a stocked spare part if exists. Otherwise, in case of spare parts lacking the system continues to its operation with failed part(s) which reduces system performance. If the number of failed parts reaches a predetermined threshold level (N - k + 1) it leads to system shutdown. All suggesting models are applied on numerical samples for to show the representation of the state and determine optimal spare parts supply strategies and inventory policies in large-scale industrial systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Objective: To determine the validity of dichotic multiple frequencies auditory steady-state responses (ASSR) as a hearing screening technique versus using distortion product otoacoustic emissions (DPOAEs) among high-risk neonates. Methods: A cross sectional study was performed on 118 high-risk neonates by means of dichotic multiple frequencies ASSR and DPOAE for hearing screening. DPOAE results were used as the standard for hearing screening in parallel with ASSR. Dichotic multiple frequencies ASSR results were analyzed by means of F-value of less or greater than 0.05 criteria as a pass–fail for the responses. Dichotic multiple ASSR hearing screening technique was considered in two intensity levels at 40 and 70dB HL. The ASSRs thresholds were measured in high risk neonates with and without hearing deficits as determined by DPOAES. The results of ASSR and DPOAE were compared to be gathered by contingency table in order to obtain sensitivity, specificity and other different statistical values. Average performing times for the tests were analyzed. Results: The specificity of dichotic multiple ASSR was 92.6%, 93.8% and the sensitivity was 71.6%, 62.2% at the 70 and 40dB hearing levels, respectively. Mean ASSR thresholds for normal-hearing infants at an average corrected age of 6 days were 32.2±12.2, 29.8±10.2, 26.2±11.4 and 30.4±10.8dB HL for 0.5, 1, 2 and 4kHz, respectively. The average times for performing the tests were 18.7 and 32.9min respectively. Conclusions: ASSR with this special paradigm is a fairly desirable method for hearing screening of high-risk neonates. There is good concordance between ASSRs and DOPAEs results among high risk neonates referred for hearing screening. The sensitivity and specificity of this test is sufficient for hearing screening in high risk neonates. This test could be valuable for rapid confirmation of normal thresholds. As long as further research have not been conducted on ASSR, great caution should be made to interpret the results of ASSR as a hearing screening technique in young infants and also additional techniques such as the tone-evoked ABRs should be used to cross-check results. It''s still too soon to recommend ASSRs as a standalone electrophysiologic measure of hearing thresholds in infants. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Crying is a multimodal, dynamic behavior and the first way to communicate. Early identification of hearing impairment is critical for prevention of speech and language disorders. The present study aimed to assess the acoustic features of infant's cry signals to find possible differences between two groups including hearing-impaired (HI) infants and normal hearing (NH) control. The data were collected from 34 (17 HI, 17 NH) infants under 2 months of age. Recording of the infant cry signals was collected during the examination of the Babinski reflex and was subsequently submitted for acoustic analysis. The total duration of the recording for each infant was approximately 30 seconds. The acoustical features included fundamental frequency (F 0), formants (F 1 , F 2 , and F 3), intensity, jitter, shimmer, ratios of F 2 /F 1 and F 3 /F 1 , ratio of harmonic to noise, and voice break. The recording device was an Olympus ws-321M voice recorder with 44,100 Hz sampling frequency in the stereo form. Praat analysis software (version 27, 3, 5) was used to analyze the crying signals. The data were then statistically analyzed using SPSS version 21. Acoustic analysis of the crying signals showed that HI infants have lower intensity and higher F 0 and voice break than NH infants. However, the other differences were not statistically significant. The results of the present study demonstrated that the acoustic components including F 0 , intensity, and voice break may be used as indices to discriminate HI infants from NH infants under 2 months of age. These findings can be increased our knowledge concerning the functional mechanisms of the vocal organ in HI and NH infants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim in radiotherapy treatment planning is to have sufficient target coverage and as low a dose to the Organs at Risk (OARs) as possible, adhering to the relevant guidelines. A high and consistent radiotherapy plan quality is vital when treatment plans are used as the foundation for patient selection in clinical trials. Proton therapy, being a substantially newer treatment modality than conventional photon therapy, is at risk of having a steeper learning curve in treatment planning. This inequality is important to investigate in a clinical study comparing the two, as this could influence the trial results. This study aims to evaluate the development of radiotherapy treatment plan quality for head and neck cancer patients receiving photon and proton therapy over time in the context of the DAHANCA 35 trial. From May 2019 to June 2023,189 patients were included in the ongoing DAHANCA 35 trial, with 63 patients in the pilot phase and 126 in the subsequent randomisation phase. In the pilot phase, all included patients were offered proton treatment, and in the randomisation phase, patients were randomised 1:2 (photon:proton). Patients were first seen at a local treatment centre, where a photon and comparative proton plan were prepared. If patients were offered proton treatment, a new clinical proton plan was made at the proton treatment centre and subsequently used for treatment. This study analysed 189 photon plans, 189 comparative proton plans, and 140 clinical proton plans. The treatment plans were prepared conforming to the DAHANCA guidelines [1] to ensure the clinical relevance of all treatment plans The plan quality was assessed separately for photon plans, comparative proton plans, and clinical proton plans in three time intervals. The mean dose was investigated individually for 13 OARs relevant for head and neck cancer: oesophagus, glottic larynx, supraglottic larynx, mandible, extended oral cavity, left and right parotid glands, upper-, middle-, and lower pharyngeal constrictor muscles, left and right submandibular glands, and thyroid gland. Furthermore, treatment plan quality was analysed using a new metric called Normalised Toxicity Index (NTI), calculated as a normalised average of the mean dose to the OARs compared to the threshold mean dose recommended by the DAHANCA guidelines. An NTI > 1 indicated that the OARs, on average, received a dose higher than the recommended thresholds, and an NTI < 1 indicated that the OARs received a dose below the thresholds. Hence, a lower NTI indicated better plan quality concerning OAR doses. The Kruskal-Wallis test was used to investigate a potential difference in the intervals for mean dose and NTI for each treatment type. The significance level was Bonferroni adjusted to account for multiple testing. The three time intervals were defined with 63 patients in the pilot phase constituting one interval (Pilot phase), the subsequent 64 patients from the randomisation phase in the next interval (Randomisation 1), and the remaining 62 patients from the randomisation phase in the third interval (Randomisation 2). The periods were 22 months for the Pilot phase, 19 months for Randomisation 1, and 14 months for Randomisation 2. Across the 13 OARs, the mean dose to individual OARs did not show a general time-dependent change, except for the right parotid gland in the clinical proton plans. Figure 1 shows a box plot with samples overlaid for the mean dose to the extended oral cavity as an example of the OARs. [Display omitted] The NTI was not significantly different for the photon plans, comparative proton plans, and clinical proton plans in the three consecutive intervals, as shown in Figure 2. The median NTI for the clinical proton plans was 0.88 (interquartile range [0.70,1.00]) for the Pilot phase, 0.83 [0.75,0.89] for Randomization 1, and 0.79 [0.67,0.98] for Randomization 2. The plan quality of the clinical proton plans appears stable from this new NTI metric. [Display omitted] The analyses conducted in this study did not show a general time-dependent change in plan quality in any of the three types of plans. This could be caused by the nationally developed proton treatment planning template. A stable treatment plan quality can help ensure a consistent selection for clinical trials, thus providing transparency for analysis of the outcome of the trials. The plan quality will continuously be followed to ensure consistency. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Waardenburg syndrome (WS) is a disease of abnormal neural-crest derived melanocyte development characterized by hearing loss and pigmentary disturbances in hair, eyes and skin. WS is subdivided into four major types, WS1–WS4, where WS1 is recognized by the presence of dystopia canthorum, with PAX3 being the only known gene involved. This study aimed at investigating PAX3 mutations and clinical characteristics of WS1 in a group of Iranian patients. A total of 12 WS1 patients from four unrelated Iranian families were enrolled. Waardenburg consortium guidelines were used for WS1 diagnosis. A detailed family history was traced and a thorough clinical examination was performed for all participants. Furthermore, WS1 patients underwent screening for PAX3 mutations using PCR-sequencing. Dystopia canthorum, broad high nasal root and synophrys were observed in all patients. Early graying, hair discoloration, hypoplastic blue eyes (characteristic brilliant blue iris) and hearing loss were the most common features observed, while heterochromia iridis was the least frequently observed sign among the studied Iranian WS1 patients. Genetic analysis of PAX3 revealed four mutations including c.667C > T, c.784C > T, c.951delT and c.451 + 3A > C. Two of the four mutations reported here (c.951delT and c.451 + 3A > C) are being reported for the first time in this study. Our data provide insight into genotypic and phenotypic spectrum of WS1 in an Iranian series of patients. Our results expand the spectrum of PAX3 mutations and may have implications for the genetic counseling of WS in Iran. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives Sensorineural hearing impairment (HI) is one of the most frequent congenital defects, with a prevalence of 1 in 500 among neonates. Although there are over 400 syndromes involving HI, most cases of HI are nonsyndromic (70%), 20% of which follow autosomal dominant mode of inheritance. Waardenburg syndrome (WS) ranks first among autosomal dominant syndromic forms of HI. WS is characterized by sensorineural hearing impairment, pigmentation abnormalities of hair and skin and hypoplastic blue eyes or heterochromia iridis. WS is subdivided into four major types, WS1–WS4. WS1 is diagnosed by the presence of dystopia canthorum and PAX3 is the only gene involved. This study aims to determine the pathogenic mutation in a large Iranian pedigree affected with WS1 in order to further confirm the clinical diagnosis. Methods In the present study, a family segregating HI was ascertained in a genetic counseling center. Upon clinical inspection, white forelock, dystopia canthorum, broad high nasal root and synophrys, characteristic of WS1 were evident. In order to clarify the genetic etiology and confirm the clinical data, primers were designed to amplify exons and exon–intron boundaries of the responsible gene, PAX3 with 10 exons, followed by the Sanger DNA sequencing method. Results Genetic analysis of PAX3 revealed a novel mutation in PAX3 (c.1024_1040 del AGCACGATTCCTTCCAA). Our data provide genotype–phenotype correlation for the mutation in PAX3 and WS1 in the studied family, with implications for genetic counseling, which necessitates detailed clinical inspection of HI patients to distinguish syndromic HI from the more common non-syndromic cases. Conclusion Our results reveal the value of phenotype-directed genetic analysis and could further expand the spectrum of PAX3 mutations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Highlights • The problematic dispersive clayey soils require improvement. • A novel procedure were used to improve a soil with high degree of dispersivity. • The treatment has resulted in an acceptable erosion resistance and mechanical strength. • The treatment caused a significant reduction in soil dispersivity from 100% to 23%. • The treatment increased the soil strength by 2541% after 28 days of curing. Abstract The problematic dispersive clayey soils that are widely distributed around the world, causing distress to the structures built by or founded on them, require improvement. In this study, a novel procedure involving the lignosulfonate as an environmentally friendly stabilizer and the polypropylene fiber as a reinforcement material were used to improve the erosion resistance and the mechanical strength of a soil with high degree of dispersivity. Double hydrometer tests, pinhole tests, unconfined compressive strength tests, hole erosion tests, scanning electron microscope tests, and X-ray diffraction tests were carried on the dispersive clay in its dispersive state and when modified by the additives, solely and simultaneously. The results showed that the dispersion potential of the soil drastically decreased due to the lignosulfonate stabilization while the mechanical strength was significantly improved due to the polypropylene fiber reinforcement. Although the polypropylene fiber reinforcement alone was incapable of reducing the dispersivity potential down to the acceptable level, the combined treatment by the lignosulfonate and the polypropylene fiber has resulted in an acceptable erosion resistance and a satisfactory mechanical strength. The simultaneous treatment with 2% lignosulfonate and 0.35% polypropylene fiber caused a significant reduction in soil dispersivity, i.e. from 100% to 23%, thus improving the dispersivity category from the highly dispersive to the non-dispersive. The treatment also increased the soil compression strength by 639% after 7 days of curing and by 2541% after 28 days of curing. In terms of erodibility, the qualitative class of the soil upgraded from the very rapid to moderately slow. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective Auditory phoneme discrimination is a basic and important prerequisite for acquiring speech, reading, and spelling skills. Children, who are unable to perceive auditory phoneme discrimination, cannot develop phonemic representations. Therefore, the early identification of these deficits and application of effective therapeutic approaches is a necessity. We need to assess appropriately word or sound discrimination in normal populations using an objective passive task such as mismatch negativity (MMN). Therefore, the aim of the present study was to investigate MMN responses using speech stimuli (words) in 6–7 year-old normal Persian-speaking children. Methods Ten right-handed Persian-speaking children with normal visual and auditory acuity, aged from 6 to 7 years, participated in the study. Recording of electroencephalography (EEG) was done by 64 A g/AgCl electrodes. A new auditory paradigm was used with three deviant stimuli (/gam/,/jam/, and/tam/) which differed in the first consonant from a repeated standard word (/dam/). A total of 1500 stimuli, 750 standards and 750 deviants (250 each deviant), were presented by Cogent 2000 running in MATLAB software using two loud speakers. Results MMN peaked over the fronto-central sites at around 380–424 ms after the onset of the stimulus. The comparison of the MMN amplitudes elicited by three deviants revealed a significant “initial phoneme type” effect in Fz and Cz ( p < 0.05). This negativity was found to be larger for manner and voicing deviants compared with that of the place of articulation ( p < 0.001) on midline scalps. The comparison of the MMN latencies revealed no significant main effect of all variables ( p > 0.05). Also, the results revealed that only the MMN amplitude for the/gam/deviant correlated with the percentage of correct responses (R = −0.86, p < 0.01). Conclusion The current study showed that words can elicit MMN responses in ∼200 ms after the onset of changes. We can objectively evaluate children's neural speech sound discrimination using the developed paradigm in a natural word context. This paradigm can be useful objectively for investigating distinctive features of sounds and phonological discrimination development in normal children. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To examine if nonlinear feature extraction method yields appropriate results in complex brainstem response classification of three different consonant vowels diotically presented in normal Persian speaking adults.Methods: Speech-evoked auditory brainstem responses were obtained in 27 normal hearing young adults by using G.tec EEG recording system. 170ms synthetic consonant-vowel stimuli /ba/, /da/, /ga/ were presented binaurally and the recurrence quantification analysis was performed on the responses. The recurrence time of second type was proposed as a suitable feature. ANOVA was also used for testing the significance of extracted feature. Post-comparison statistical method was used for showing which means are significantly different from each other.Results: Dimension embedding and state space reconstruction were helpful for visualizing nonlinearity in auditory system. The proposed feature was successful in the objective classification of responses in window time 20.1-35.3ms, which belonged to formant transition period of stimuli. Also the p value behavior of recurrence time of second type feature as a discriminant feature was close to the nature of the response that includes transient and sustained parts. On the other hand, the /ba/ and /ga/ classification period was wider than the others.Conclusion: The extracted feature shown in this paper is helpful for the objective of distinguishing individuals with auditory processing disorders in the structurally similar voices. On the other hand, differing nonlinear feature is meaningful in a special region of response, equal to formant transition period, and this feature is related to the state space changes of brainstem response. It can be assumed that more information is within this region of signal and it is a sign of processing role of brainstem. The state changes of system are dependent on input stimuli, so the existence of top down feedback from cortex to brainstem forces the system to act differently. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives The purpose of this study is to retrospectively review the complications of paediatric patients undergoing cochlear implantation at four major Iranian cochlear implant centres. Methods A retrospective analysis was performed of all patients who underwent primary cochlear implantation from January 1991 to December 2013. The patients were reviewed for demographic information, and complications including cerebrospinal fluid leak, meningitis, facial palsy, and wound infection. Results 4400 records were reviewed. Fifty-four patients were lost to follow-up; therefore, 4346 records were analysed. The most common aetiology of hearing loss was non-syndromic genetic sensori-neural hearing loss (69%). Other less common aetiologies of hearing loss included TORCH (Toxoplasmosis, Other infections, Rubella, Cytomegalovirus, Herpes) (11%), syndromic hearing loss (7%), ototoxicity (5%), and autoimmune inner-ear disease (4%). The most common major complications were CSF leak (0.4%), skin necrosis (0.2%), meningitis (0.1%), facial paralysis (0.07%) and massive haemorrhage (0.05). Conclusion Cochlear implantation continues to be reliable and safe in experienced hands, with a very low percentage of severe complications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Comparison of the mechanical properties and conductivity of various tissues containing carbohydrate polymers and conductive carbohydrate polymers. Light green and dark green lines indicate conventional and conductive carbohydrate polymers properties, respectively. • Conducting carbohydrate hydrogels were synthesized for neural disorder treatment. • Olfactory stem cells induced to differentiate into neuron-like cells in hydrogels. • An excellent cellular activity and neural regeneration were revealed for the optimized hydrogels. • Conductivity of chitosan changed from 10-6 to 10-3 S/cm for the participation of oligoaniline. Electroactive scaffolds derived from carbohydrate hydrogels were synthesized, resulting in a large shift in the conductivity of chitosan (CS) from 10−6 S/cm to about 10-3 S/cm, assigned to CS-oligoaniline. Several analyses including UV–vis spectroscopy and cyclic voltammetry were performed, before examining the carbohydrate-based scaffolds for their ability to recapitulate the neural tissue microenvironment. Good conductivity and resemblance of the modulus to soft tissue of the optimized hydrogels led to appropriate cellular activity and neural regeneration. The loss of dopaminergic neurons as the prominent source of dopamine in the central nervous system results in the deterioration of multiple brain functions such as voluntary movement and behavioral processes. To overcome this, olfactory ecto-mesenchymal stem cells (OE-MSCs) were induced to differentiate into dopaminergic neuron-like cells on hydrogels through a monolayer arrangement cell culture by using cocktail neurotrophic factors including sonic hedgehog (SHH), fibroblast growth factor 8 (FGF8), basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF), glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF) and brain derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF). The differentiation capacity of a series of OE-MSCs on the conductive hydrogel was evaluated by real-time PCR, immunocytochemistry and flow cytometry, and the expression of tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) and dopamine transporter (DAT) neural and dopaminergic markers. The results of this study represent the first steps in designing and implementing advanced platforms based on conductive polysaccharide hydrogels for neural disorder therapies, such as the treatment of Parkinson's disease. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]