Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
New Framework for Enhanced Secure Key Management in Hierarchical Wireless Sensor Network

The salient features of WSN like use of wireless radio communication, collaborative nature and deployment in the open environment exposes it to many security threats. Since WSN has tight limitations on the power consumption, transmission and computation the complex cryptographic algorithms can’t be used to provide the security. Key management in WSN is the fundamental line of defense for a secure communication and thus it is very important. In this paper we propose a new framework for enhanced key management for hierarchical WSN which enhances the security of the network. In the proposed framework the base station computes all the keys required for both inter and intra cluster communications. Cluster is further isolated into small geographical areas on the basis of hop count from the cluster head. The sensor nodes in the network join the cluster on the basis of the distance (hop counts) from the cluster head which localizes the path key things and reduces the overhead. The proposed framework is divided into four stages pre key distribution, pair wise key establishment, computing the path key and re keying all the keys. General Terms Wireless sensor network, security, key management, hop count, and cluster.
β-Lapachone Ameliorates Lipotoxic Cardiomyopathy in Acyl CoA Synthase Transgenic Mice

Lipotoxic cardiomyopathy is caused by myocardial lipid accumulation and often occurs in patients with diabetes and obesity. This study investigated the effects of β-lapachone (β-lap), a natural compound that activates Sirt1 through elevation of the intracellular NAD+ level, on acyl CoA synthase (ACS) transgenic (Tg) mice, which have lipotoxic cardiomyopathy. Oral administration of β-lap to ACS Tg mice significantly attenuated heart failure and inhibited myocardial accumulation of triacylglycerol. Electron microscopy and measurement of mitochondrial complex II protein and mitochondrial DNA revealed that administration of β-lap restored mitochondrial integrity and biogenesis in ACS Tg hearts. Accordingly, β-lap administration significantly increased the expression of genes associated with mitochondrial biogenesis and fatty acid metabolism that were down-regulated in ACS Tg hearts. β-lap also restored the activities of Sirt1 and AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK), the two key regulators of metabolism, which were suppressed in ACS Tg hearts. In H9C2 cells, β-lap-mediated elevation of AMPK activity was retarded when the level of Sirt1 was reduced by transfection of siRNA against Sirt1. Taken together, these results indicate that β-lap exerts cardioprotective effects against cardiac lipotoxicity through the activation of Sirt1 and AMPK. β-lap may be a novel therapeutic agent for the treatment of lipotoxic cardiomyopathy.
The Language of Coalition Formation in Online Multiparty Negotiations

The purpose of this study is to examine how language affects coalition formation in multiparty negotiations. The authors relied on communication accommodation theory for theoretical framing and hypothesized that language can help coalition partners reach an agreement when it is used to increase a sense of unity. Findings of an experimental study support this hypothesis, demonstrating that greater linguistic convergence and assent increase agreements between potential coalition partners whereas the expression of negative emotion words decrease agreement. The implications for coalition formation and the study of language in negotiations are discussed.
Modelling the Influences of Beliefs on Preservice Teachers' Attitudes towards Computer Use

The purpose of this study is to examine the pre-service teachers’ attitudes toward computers use. The impact of five variables (perceived usefulness, perceived ease of use, subjective norm, facilitating conditions, and technological complexity) on attitude towards computer was assessed. Data were collected from 230 preservice teachers through self-report and structural equation modelling was used as the technique for analysis. Results showed that 64% of the variance in attitude towards computer use was explained by the five exogenous variables. In addition, perceived usefulness, subjective norm, and technological complexity were found to be significant influences on attitude toward computer use while perceived ease of use and facilitating conditions did not.
Temporal and spatial expression change of GPR 124 in mouse retinal development and in oxygen-induced retinopathy model

G protein-coupled receptor 124 (GPR124), a member of the class II GPR family, is up-regulated in endothelial cells during central nervous system and tumor angiogenesis. However, the expression change of GPR124 in normal retinal development and in oxygen-induced retinopathy (OIR) model remains to be elucidated. In this study, neonatal C57BL/6J mice were randomly divided into normal group and OIR group, eyes were enucleated at each time point, then qRT-PCR, immunohistochemistry and immunofluorescence double staining were performed to observe the location and expression change of GPR124 in normal mice retina and in OIR retina. GPR124 was progressively up-regulated in the normal retinal development, peaked at P14, and then gradually decreased. In OIR retina, the expression of GPR124 was weak at P10 and P12, then elevated gradually and peaked at P17. GPR124 expression was located in ganglion cell layer and inner nuclear layer in a time-dependent manner in both groups, and also expressed in the abnormal pre-retinal neovascularization in OIR. Cellular localization indicated that GPR124 was expressed in endothelial cells and in retinal ganglion cells. The spatiotemporal changes of GPR124 expression demonstrated that GPR124 involved in retinal neurovascular development and neovascularization. We conclude that GPR124 might become a new target for the study of retinal development and to investigate the occurrence of pathological retinal neovascularization, and could be used as a potential candidate to prevent the retinal neovascular diseases.
Comparison of pre- and post-levothyroxine high-sensitivity c-reactive protein and fetuin-a levels in subclinical hypothyroidism

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this trial was to determine the levels of inflammatory markers, high-sensitivity C-reactive protein and fetuin-A pre- and post-levothyroxine treatment in cases of subclinical hypothyroidism. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 32 patients with a diagnosis of subclinical hypothyroidism and a control group of 30 healthy individuals were tested for high-sensitivity C-reactive protein and fetuin-A, followed by the administration of 50 µg of levothyroxine in the patient group for 3 months. During the post-treatment stage, high-sensitivity C-reactive protein and fetuin-A levels in the patient group were re-assessed and compared with pre-treatment values. RESULTS: Pre-treatment levels of both high-sensitivity C-reactive protein and fetuin-A were observed to be higher in the patient group than in the control group. The decrease in high-sensitivity C-reactive protein levels during the post-treatment stage was not statistically significant. However, the decrease observed in post-treatment fetuin-A levels was found to be statistically significant. CONCLUSION: The decrease in fetuin-A levels in subclinical hypothyroidism cases indicates that levothyroxine treatment exerts anti-inflammatory and anti-apoptotic effects. Although the decrease in high-sensitivity C-reactive protein levels was statistically non-significant, it is predicted to reach significance with sustained treatment.
Nucleation of liquid bridges and bubbles in nanoscale capillaries

Nucleation of liquid bridges and bubbles during condensation and evaporation of Lennard-Jones fluid in cylindrical pores is explored by Monte Carlo simulation. The isotherm of constrained critical nuclei is constructed using the gauge cell method. We confirm the Everett–Haynes scenario of bridging through the formation of a bump/undulation on the adsorption film. The molecular structure of growing bridges and cavitating bubbles is revealed. A new simulation approach is introduced to calculate the nucleation energy barriers. The method is based on the introduction and subsequent removal of a virtual “ghost” potential field with a tunable magnitude. Two computation schemes for determining the free energy of nuclei are elaborated based on the thermodynamic integration along a trajectory of states generated in the tunable ghost field and on the umbrella sampling. The methods developed are applicable to study various nucleation phenomena.
Character and Temporal Evolution of Apoptosis in Acetaminophen-Induced Acute Liver Failure*

Objective:To evaluate the role of hepatocellular and extrahepatic apoptosis during the evolution of acetaminophen-induced acute liver failure. Design and Setting:A prospective observational study in two tertiary liver transplant units. Patients:Eighty-eight patients with acetaminophen-induced acute liver failure were recruited. Control groups included patients with nonacetaminophen-induced acute liver failure (n = 13), nonhepatic multiple organ failure (n = 28), chronic liver disease (n = 19), and healthy controls (n = 11). Measurements:Total and caspase-cleaved cytokeratin-18 (M65 and M30) measured at admission and sequentially on days 3, 7, and 10 following admission. Levels were also determined from hepatic vein, portal vein, and systemic arterial blood in seven patients undergoing transplantation. Protein arrays of liver homogenates from patients with acetaminophen-induced acute liver failure were assessed for apoptosis-associated proteins, and histological assessment of liver tissue was performed. Main Results:Admission M30 levels were significantly elevated in acetaminophen-induced acute liver failure and non-acetaminophen induced acute liver failure patients compared with multiple organ failure, chronic liver disease, and healthy controls. Admission M30 levels correlated with outcome with area under receiver operating characteristic of 0.755 (0.639–0.885, p < 0.001). Peak levels in patients with acute liver failure were seen at admission then fell significantly but did not normalize over 10 days. A negative gradient of M30 from the portal to hepatic vein was demonstrated in patients with acetaminophen-induced acute liver failure (p = 0.042) at the time of liver transplant. Analysis of protein array data demonstrated lower apoptosis-associated protein and higher catalase concentrations in acetaminophen-induced acute liver failure compared with controls (p < 0.05). Explant histological analysis revealed evidence of cellular proliferation with an absence of histological evidence of apoptosis. Conclusions:Hepatocellular apoptosis occurs in the early phases of human acetaminophen-induced acute liver failure, peaking on day 1 of hospital admission, and correlates strongly with poor outcome. Hepatic regenerative/tissue repair responses prevail during the later stages of acute liver failure where elevated levels of M30 are likely to reflect epithelial cell death in extrahepatic organs.
Assessing Motivation of Secondary School Students: An Analysis of Promotion and Prevention Orientations as Measured by the Regulatory Focus Questionnaire

Measuring human motivation requires understanding the outcomes individuals value and the strategies they prefer to employ to attain them. Knowledge of promotion and prevention, two pivotal motivation orientations, provide key information regarding these aspects. The Regulatory Focus Questionnaire, which measures these two independent constructs, was validated using data provided by university students and alumni of an elite U.S. university. Thus, little is known whether this instrument provides reliable and valid measures of promotion and prevention in a population of younger respondents from a different culture. To bridge this gap, the study employed data collected from three independent large samples of New Zealand secondary school students and used the jigsaw piecewise technique in combination with confirmatory factor analyses. Findings show that, in this population, items in the Regulatory Focus Questionnaire measure promotion and prevention as theoretically distinct constructs.
Beyond “J-Tweeters”

Based on a survey (N = 1613) directed to members of the Norwegian Journalist Association (NJ), this paper presents an extensive overview of the ways in which comparably older and newer online platforms have been incorporated into the professional lives of Norwegian journalists. While plenty of research is available that explores the uses of Twitter by journalists, the results presented here suggest that Facebook is by far the most frequently used platform throughout the journalistic process—from collecting information, distributing content and engaging with readers. Statistical analyses provide further insights into which variables appear to influence certain modes of usage across the studied platforms. Based on the results, the argument is made that the advantages of using Facebook as a platform for journalistic practices are obvious due to its popularity among the general public, but that this utilization of one platform over others also could be problematic. As Facebook continues to gain leverage towards the newspapers they host, questions of journalistic practices need to come to the fore.
Efficient DPM-Based Object Detection Using Shift with Importance Sampling

This paper proposes a novel Shift with Importance Sampling (SIS) scheme to improve the efficiency in DPM-based object detection but maintain its high accuracy. For fast and efficient object detection, the cascade-boosting structure is the commonly-used approach in the literature. However, its detection performance is quite lower due to non-robust features and a fully-scanning on image especially when deformable part models are adopted. Another powerful method "deformable part model" is commonly adopted to deal with the above problem. However, its full combinations of parts to represent an object make its inefficiency in the scanning process which needs to check all possible object positions. The proposed SIS scheme can avoid many redundant positions and thus significantly improve the efficiency of the DPM scheme up to a time order. Firstly, various interest points are first detected and then clustered via the ISO-data clustering scheme to produce potential candidates. Since each candidate will not exactly locate in the center of the detected target, it will be shifted according to the weights of its eight neighborhoods. The importance of each neighbor is scored by the DPM-classifier. Once it is shifted, the size of search window to find its positions will be narrowed to only quarter. Thus, the proposed SIS scanning scheme can quickly find the correct location of each pedestrian with minimum tries and tests. After analysis, the time complexity of scanning is reduced from O(n2) to O(logn), where the frame dimension is n×n. After that, the particle filter is adopted to track targets if they are missed. Experimental results show the superiority of our SIS method in pedestrian detection (evaluated on different famous datasets).
Simple kinetic relationships and nonspecific competition govern nuclear import rates in vivo

Many cargoes destined for nuclear import carry nuclear localization signals that are recognized by karyopherins (Kaps). We present methods to quantitate import rates and measure Kap and cargo concentrations in single yeast cells in vivo, providing new insights into import kinetics. By systematically manipulating the amounts, types, and affinities of Kaps and cargos, we show that import rates in vivo are simply governed by the concentrations of Kaps and their cargo and the affinity between them. These rates fit to a straightforward pump–leak model for the import process. Unexpectedly, we deduced that the main limiting factor for import is the poor ability of Kaps and cargos to find each other in the cytoplasm in a background of overwhelming nonspecific competition, rather than other more obvious candidates such as the nuclear pore complex and Ran. It is likely that most of every import round is taken up by Kaps and nuclear localization signals sampling other cytoplasmic proteins as they locate each other in the cytoplasm.
NanoLab: A nanorobotic system for automated pick-and-place handling and characterization of CNTs

Carbon nanotubes (CNTs) are one of the most promising materials for nanoelectronic applications. Before bringing CNTs into large-scale production, a reliable nanorobotic system for automated handling and characterization as well as prototyping of CNT-based components is essential. This paper presents the NanoLab setup, a nanorobotic system that combines specially developed key components such as electrothermal microgrippers and mobile microrobots inside a scanning electron microscope. The working principle and fabrication of mobile microrobots and electrothermal microgripper as well as their interaction and integration is described. Furthermore, the NanoLab is used to explore novel key strategies such as automated locating of CNTs for pick-and-place handling and methods for electrical characterization of CNTs. The results have been achieved within the framework of a European research project where the scientific knowledge will be transfered into an industrial system that will be commercially available for potential customers.
The Gendered Impacts of Agricultural Asset Transfer Projects: Lessons from the Manica Smallholder Dairy Development Program

Abstract This article explores the gendered impacts of a development project that provided dairy training and a superior breed of cattle to households as part of a broader effort to develop a smallholder-friendly, market-oriented dairy value chain in the Manica province of Mozambique. The project first targeted households, registered cows in the names of the household heads, and, initially, trained these cow owners in various aspects of dairy production and marketing. Subsequently, the training was expanded to two members per household to increase the capacity within households to care for cows, a change that resulted in the training of a significant number of women. Using qualitative and quantitative data on dairy production and consumption, and on gendered control over income and assets, the article explores how men and women participated in and benefited from the Manica Smallholder Dairy Development Program (MSDDP). We found that despite being registered in the name of men, in practice, dairy cattle are in some cases viewed as jointly owned by both men and women. Beneficiary households dramatically increased dairy production and income, with men, women, and children all contributing labor to this endeavor. Women’s incentives for participation in dairy were less clear. Despite their recognized rights and responsibilities related to dairy cow management, women exercised relatively little control over milk and milk income as compared to men. This article explores the various monetary and nonmonetary benefits of MSDDP and dairying for women along with their implications for the level of effort put in by women, and the overall project outcomes.
Design Aspects of Double-Sided Rotor Radial Flux Air-Cored Permanent-Magnet Wind Generator

The electromagnetic and mechanical design aspects of optimally designed double rotor radial flux permanent-magnet wind generators with nonoverlap air-cored (ironless) stator windings are analyzed in this paper. An accurate analytical design optimization method is proposed. The analytical model is confirmed by finite-element analysis. It is shown, among other things, that the electromagnetic design, and not the mechanical design, determines the rotor yoke dimensions and, thus largely, the mass and cost of the generator.
Non-autonomous dynamics of wave equations with nonlinear damping and critical nonlinearity

The authors consider non-autonomous dynamical behaviour of wave-type evolutionary equations with nonlinear damping and critical nonlinearity. These type of waves equations are formulated as non-autonomous dynamical systems (namely, cocycles). A sufficient and necessary condition for the existence of pullback attractors is established for norm-to-weak continuous non-autonomous dynamical systems, in terms of pullback asymptotic compactness or pullback κ-contraction criteria. A technical method for verifying pullback asymptotic compactness via contractive functions is devised. These results are then applied to the wave-type evolutionary equations with nonlinear damping and critical nonlinearity, to obtain the existence of pullback attractors. The required pullback asymptotic compactness for the existence of pullback attractors is fulfilled by some new a priori estimates for concrete wave-type equations arising from applications. Moreover, the pullback κ-contraction criterion for the existence of pullback attractors is of independent interest.
Discretized Multinomial Distributions and Nash Equilibria in Anonymous Games

We show that there is a polynomial-time approximation scheme for computing Nash equilibria in anonymous games with any fixed number of strategies (a very broad and important class of games), extending the two-strategy result of Daskalakis and Papadimitriou 2007. The approximation guarantee follows from a probabilistic result of more general interest: The distribution of the sum of n independent unit vectors with values ranging over {e1,. ,ek}, where ei is the unit vector along dimension i of the k-dimensional Euclidean space, can be approximated by the distribution of the sum of another set of independent unit vectors whose probabilities of obtaining each value are multiples of 1/z for some integer z, and so that the variational distance of the two distributions is at most eps, where eps is bounded by an inverse polynomial in z and a function of k, but with no dependence on n. Our probabilistic result specifies the construction of a surprisingly sparse epsi-cover- under the total variation distance - of the set of distributions of sums of independent unit vectors, which is of interest on its own right.
Mortality following Stroke, the Weekend Effect and Related Factors: Record Linkage Study

Background Increased mortality following hospitalisation for stroke has been reported from many but not all studies that have investigated a ‘weekend effect’ for stroke. However, it is not known whether the weekend effect is affected by factors including hospital size, season and patient distance from hospital. Objective To assess changes over time in mortality following hospitalisation for stroke and how any increased mortality for admissions on weekends is related to factors including the size of the hospital, seasonal factors and distance from hospital. Methods A population study using person linked inpatient, mortality and primary care data for stroke from 2004 to 2012. The outcome measures were, firstly, mortality at seven days and secondly, mortality at 30 days and one year. Results Overall mortality for 37 888 people hospitalised following stroke was 11.6% at seven days, 21.4% at 30 days and 37.7% at one year. Mortality at seven and 30 days fell significantly by 1.7% and 3.1% per annum respectively from 2004 to 2012. When compared with week days, mortality at seven days was increased significantly by 19% for admissions on weekends, although the admission rate was 21% lower on weekends. Although not significant, there were indications of increased mortality at seven days for weekend admissions during winter months (31%), in community (81%) rather than large hospitals (8%) and for patients resident furthest from hospital (32% for distances of >20 kilometres). The weekend effect was significantly increased (by 39%) for strokes of ‘unspecified’ subtype. Conclusions Mortality following stroke has fallen over time. Mortality was increased for admissions at weekends, when compared with normal week days, but may be influenced by a higher stroke severity threshold for admission on weekends. Other than for unspecified strokes, we found no significant variation in the weekend effect for hospital size, season and distance from hospital.