Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Symmetric key based RFID authentication protocol with a secure key-updating scheme

RFID technology is being widely employed in various pervasive applications. Therefore, security and privacy protection for RFID systems is an important issue that needs to be addressed. In this paper, we present a secure mutual authentication protocol for RFID systems that is based on symmetric key technique with an efficient key updating mechanism. The objective is to improve the RFID system security against replay, de-synchronization, eavesdropping and man-in-the-middle attacks while maintaining lower computation, communication and storage. We also compare our authentication method with three recent protocols that deploy the same block cipher (XTEA) by implementing all the protocols on the same RF based hardware. Our proposed authentication protocol provides high security level and low computation and communication costs.
MMSE Based Block Diagonalization for Cognitive Radio MIMO Broadcast Channels

In this paper, we present a linear precoder design for cognitive radio (CR) multi-user multiple-input multiple-output (MU-MIMO) downlink systems where unlicensed secondary users (SUs) can simultaneously utilize the same spectrum used by a licensed primary user (PU). Although a zero-forcing block diagonalization (ZF-BD) precoder is extended to the CR network with the PU, a transmit power boost problem occurs. Therefore, we propose a regularized BD precoder method based on the minimum mean-squared error (MMSE) criteria subject to the interference power constraint under a predetermined threshold for the PU. As a result, the proposed CR-MMSE-BD scheme improves the signal-to-interference-plus-noise ratio at each SU's receiver, compared to the ZF-BD based method. The simulation results demonstrate that the proposed algorithm outperforms the ZF based technique for CR MU-MIMO downlink systems.
Investigating the relationships among team emotional intelligence, trust, conflict and team performance

PurposeThe purpose of the study is to enhance understanding of the relationships among team emotional intelligence (EI), trust in team, conflict in team and team performance.Design/methodology/approachA sample of 389 team members from 84 project teams in large-scale construction projects was surveyed.FindingsFindings showed that team EI is positively associated with team performance. In addition, trust and conflict in the team mediate the association between team EI and team performance.Practical implicationsThe ability to perceive one’s own and others’ emotions significantly increases the likelihood of team performance by increasing trust in a team and reducing conflict. Therefore, managers can use these findings to boost team performance and reduce conflict in their teams.Originality/valueThis research contributes to the better understanding of the relationship between team EI and team performance in large-scale construction projects. In addition, this research is an empirical investigation into the mediation variables linking EI to team performance.
Earthquake detection through computationally efficient similarity search

Data mining techniques applied to continuous waveforms reveal many previously unknown small earthquakes. Seismology is experiencing rapid growth in the quantity of data, which has outpaced the development of processing algorithms. Earthquake detection—identification of seismic events in continuous data—is a fundamental operation for observational seismology. We developed an efficient method to detect earthquakes using waveform similarity that overcomes the disadvantages of existing detection methods. Our method, called Fingerprint And Similarity Thresholding (FAST), can analyze a week of continuous seismic waveform data in less than 2 hours, or 140 times faster than autocorrelation. FAST adapts a data mining algorithm, originally designed to identify similar audio clips within large databases; it first creates compact “fingerprints” of waveforms by extracting key discriminative features, then groups similar fingerprints together within a database to facilitate fast, scalable search for similar fingerprint pairs, and finally generates a list of earthquake detections. FAST detected most (21 of 24) cataloged earthquakes and 68 uncataloged earthquakes in 1 week of continuous data from a station located near the Calaveras Fault in central California, achieving detection performance comparable to that of autocorrelation, with some additional false detections. FAST is expected to realize its full potential when applied to extremely long duration data sets over a distributed network of seismic stations. The widespread application of FAST has the potential to aid in the discovery of unexpected seismic signals, improve seismic monitoring, and promote a greater understanding of a variety of earthquake processes.
Combined inhibition of Bcl-2/Bcl-xL and Usp9X/Bag3 overcomes apoptotic resistance in glioblastoma in vitro and in vivo

Despite great efforts taken to advance therapeutic measures for patients with glioblastoma, the clinical prognosis remains grim. The antiapoptotic Bcl-2 family protein Mcl-1 is overexpressed in glioblastoma and represents an important resistance factor to the BH-3 mimetic ABT263. In this study, we show that combined treatment with ABT263 and GX15-070 overcomes apoptotic resistance in established glioblastoma cell lines, glioma stem-like cells and primary cultures. Moreover, this treatment regimen also proves to be advantageous in vivo. On the molecular level, GX15-070 enhanced apoptosis by posttranslational down-regulation of the deubiquitinase, Usp9X, and the chaperone Bag3, leading to a sustained depletion of Mcl-1 protein levels. Moreover, knock-down of Usp9X or Bag3 depleted endogenous Mcl-1 protein levels and in turn enhanced apoptosis induced through Bcl-2/Bcl-xL inhibition. In conclusion, combined treatment with ABT263 and GX15-070 results in a significantly enhanced anti-cancer activity in vitro as well as in vivo in the setting of glioblastoma. Both drugs, ABT263 and GX15-070 have been evaluated in clinical studies which facilitates the translational aspect of taking this combinatorial approach to the clinical setting. Furthermore we present a novel mechanism by which GX15-070 counteracts Mcl-1 expression which may lay a foundation for a novel target in cancer therapy.
Quantitative Investigation of Connections of the Prefrontal Cortex in the Human and Macaque using Probabilistic Diffusion Tractography

The functions of prefrontal cortex (PFC) areas are constrained by their anatomical connections. There is little quantitative information about human PFC connections, and, instead, our knowledge of primate PFC connections is derived from tracing studies in macaques. The connections of subcortical areas, in which white matter penetration and hence diffusion anisotropy are greatest, can be studied with diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) tractography. We therefore used DWI tractography in four macaque and 10 human hemispheres to compare the connections of PFC regions with nine subcortical regions, including several fascicles and several subcortical nuclei. A distinct connection pattern was identified for each PFC and each subcortical region. Because some of the fascicles contained connections with posterior cortical areas, it was also possible to draw inferences about PFC connection patterns with posterior cortical areas. Notably, it was possible to identify similar circuits centered on comparable PFC regions in both species; PFC regions probably engage in similar patterns of regionally specific functional interaction with other brain areas in both species. In the case of one area traditionally assigned to the human PFC, the pars opercularis, the distribution of connections was not reminiscent of any macaque PFC region but, instead, resembled the pattern for macaque ventral premotor area. Some limitations to the DWI approach were apparent; the high diffusion anisotropy in the corpus callosum made it difficult to compare connection probability values in the adjacent cingulate region.
Improving Passive RFID Tag Performance : Application to Rotorcraft Dynamic Component Tracking

Researchers at Missouri University of Science and Technology and Technical Data Analysis, Inc. (TDA), have been working to address problems associated with part tracking of rotorcraft dynamic components using Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) systems. The position and placement of the passive RFID tags has a significant impact on their performance, both in terms of energy harvesting from the RF signal and communication reliability. The main objective of this research is to increase the read range and efficiency of multi-tag readability in the metal-rich environment of a rotor hub. This paper discusses our current research work on improving the passive tag readability in a complex metal-rich environment by boosting the back-scatter signal from passive tags through beamforming and impedance matching techniques.
Both the Caspase CSP-1 and a Caspase-Independent Pathway Promote Programmed Cell Death in Parallel to the Canonical Pathway for Apoptosis in Caenorhabditis elegans

Caspases are cysteine proteases that can drive apoptosis in metazoans and have critical functions in the elimination of cells during development, the maintenance of tissue homeostasis, and responses to cellular damage. Although a growing body of research suggests that programmed cell death can occur in the absence of caspases, mammalian studies of caspase-independent apoptosis are confounded by the existence of at least seven caspase homologs that can function redundantly to promote cell death. Caspase-independent programmed cell death is also thought to occur in the invertebrate nematode Caenorhabditis elegans. The C. elegans genome contains four caspase genes (ced-3, csp-1, csp-2, and csp-3), of which only ced-3 has been demonstrated to promote apoptosis. Here, we show that CSP-1 is a pro-apoptotic caspase that promotes programmed cell death in a subset of cells fated to die during C. elegans embryogenesis. csp-1 is expressed robustly in late pachytene nuclei of the germline and is required maternally for its role in embryonic programmed cell deaths. Unlike CED-3, CSP-1 is not regulated by the APAF-1 homolog CED-4 or the BCL-2 homolog CED-9, revealing that csp-1 functions independently of the canonical genetic pathway for apoptosis. Previously we demonstrated that embryos lacking all four caspases can eliminate cells through an extrusion mechanism and that these cells are apoptotic. Extruded cells differ from cells that normally undergo programmed cell death not only by being extruded but also by not being engulfed by neighboring cells. In this study, we identify in csp-3; csp-1; csp-2 ced-3 quadruple mutants apoptotic cell corpses that fully resemble wild-type cell corpses: these caspase-deficient cell corpses are morphologically apoptotic, are not extruded, and are internalized by engulfing cells. We conclude that both caspase-dependent and caspase-independent pathways promote apoptotic programmed cell death and the phagocytosis of cell corpses in parallel to the canonical apoptosis pathway involving CED-3 activation.
MIRAS end-to-end calibration: application to SMOS L1 processor

End-to-end calibration of the Microwave Imaging Radiometer by Aperture Synthesis (MIRAS) radiometer refers to processing the measured raw data up to dual-polarization brightness temperature maps over the earth's surface, which is the level 1 product of the Soil Moisture and Ocean Salinity (SMOS) mission. The process starts with a self-correction of comparators offset and quadrature error and is followed by the calibration procedure itself. This one is based on periodically injecting correlated and uncorrelated noise to all receivers in order to measure their relevant parameters, which are then used to correct the raw data. This can deal with most of the errors associated with the receivers but does not correct for antenna errors, which must be included in the image reconstruction algorithm. Relative S-parameters of the noise injection network and of the input switch are needed as additional data, whereas the whole process is independent of the exact value of the noise source power and of the distribution network physical temperature. On the other hand, the approach relies on having at least one very well-calibrated reference receiver, which is implemented as a noise injection radiometer. The result is the calibrated visibility function, which is inverted by the image reconstruction algorithm to get the brightness temperature as a function of the director cosines at the antenna reference plane. The final step is a coordinate rotation to obtain the horizontal and vertical brightness temperature maps over the earth. The procedures presented are validated using a complete SMOS simulator previously developed by the authors.
The alignment of written peer feedback with draft problems and its impact on revision in peer assessment

Abstract Despite the wide use of peer assessment, questions about the helpfulness of peer feedback are frequently raised. In particular, it is unknown whether, how and to what extent peer feedback can help solve problems in initial texts in complex writing tasks. We investigated this research gap by focusing on the case of writing literature reviews in an academic writing course. The dataset includes two drafts from 21 students, sampled to represent a wide range of document qualities, and 84 anonymous peer reviews, involving 1,289 idea units. Our study revealed that: (1) at both substance and high prose levels, drafts of all quality levels demonstrated more common problems on advanced writing issues (e.g. counter-argument); (2) peer feedback was driven by difficulty of the problem rather than overall draft quality, peer comments were not well aligned with the relative frequency of problems, more comments were given to less difficult problems; (3) peer feedback had a moderate impact on revision, and importantly, receiving multiple comments on the same issue led to more repairs and improvement of draft quality, but consistent with the comments received, authors tended to fix basic problems more often. Implications for practice and research are drawn from these findings.
Methane-to-Methanol via Chemical Looping: Economic Potential and Guidance for Future Research

This article is meant to frame the challenges and opportunities of the methane conversion to methanol via a chemical looping (or redox) process by comparison with the industrial performance criteria. Accordingly, the low methanol productivity and the expected long cycle time result in an overall production rate that falls a factor of ∼50 below the industrial threshold and leads to the prohibitive material cost. With this analysis, we aim to stimulate the diversification of the research directions toward making the process more economically interesting. We also extend this analysis to a variety of the chemical looping processes and conclude that they all fall short of the simple productivity criteria. We therefore recommend researchers pay more attention to improving productivity in these processes.
Advances in Service-Learning Research with English Language Learners

Background : Research on service-learning with English Language Learners has blossomed over the last two decades, but the literature is not well known outside the field of Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL). This is unfortunate in a world where issues related to globalization and immigration are common in public discourses. Purpose : This literature review is intended to provide readers with a succinct overview of an area of growing importance. Methodology/Approach : Using a previously published bibliography of the field, supplemented by searches of ERIC, MLA, and WorldCAT databases and Google Scholar, a meta-analysis of the literature was conducted. Results and representative reports are summarized for higher education settings, from language institutes and two-year colleges to graduate teacher education courses. Findings/Conclusions : The findings show service-learning leads to small but significant gains in second language teaching and learning, and has positive impacts on the communities in which English Language learners and teachers serve. Implications: The findings can inform the work of professionals in higher education and the community in the design and assessment of programs for linguistically and culturally diverse learners, as well as political and ideological discussions of multiculturalism and multilingualism.
Effect of Packaging Method on the Lipid Oxidation, Protein Oxidation, and Color in Aged Top Round from Hanwoo (Korean Native Cattle) during Refrigerated Storage

The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of the packaging method on the lipid and protein oxidation, and color in aged top round from Hanwoo (Korean native cattle) for 14 d at 4℃. Catalase activity was the highest (p<0.05) in vacuum packaging (VP) treatment during storage, and was higher (p<0.05) in 50% Ox-MAP and 50% Ox-MAP+vacuum skin packaging (VSP) treatments than in other treatments at d 14. Superoxide dismutase activity was higher (p<0.05) in VP, 50% Ox-MAP, and 50% Ox-MAP+VSP treatments than in other treatments at d 14. During storage, total antioxidant activity was the highest (p<0.05) in VP treatment and was higher (p<0.05) in 50% Ox-MAP+VSP treatment than in 80% Ox-MAP treatment. TBARS value was the lowest (p<0.05) in VP treatment during storage and was lower (p<0.05) in 50% Ox-MAP and Ox-MAP+VSP treatments than in 80% Ox-MAP and Ox-MAP treatments, respectively. Carbonyl content was the lowest (p<0.05) in VP treatment from 10 d. From 7 d, the a* value was the highest (p<0.05) in VP treatment and was higher (p<0.05) in 50% Ox-MAP and 50% Ox-MAP+VSP treatments than in other treatments. The b* value was the highest (p<0.05) in VP treatment from 3 d, and was higher (p<0.05) in 80% Ox-MAP+VSP, 50% Ox-MAP, and 50% Ox-MAP+ VSP treatments than in 80% Ox-MAP treatment at d 14. Therefore, VP improved the oxidation and red color stabilities in stored-aged top round compared with Ox-MAP. In addition, 50% Ox-MAP improved the lipid oxidation and red color stabilities compared with 80% Ox-MAP, and its inhibitory effect on lipid oxidation was enhanced by combination with VSP.
What is the Purpose of the Firm ? : Shareholder and Stakeholder Theories

ness fi rm. Each provides a framework for evaluating executive compensation policies, corporate governance procedures, and the economic and social performance of business. The fi rst, shareholder theory, emanates from an economic perspective, focusing on the fi rm’s purpose of creating wealth for its owners while minimizing both the importance of the fi rm’s interaction with its other constituencies and its role in society. The second, stakeholder theory, broadens the fi rst perspective, recognizing the importance of wealth creation as well as the fi rm’s relationships with its multiple constituent groups―shareholders, creditors, employees, customers, suppliers, regulators, and local communities―and impact on society at large. Below, I discuss the foundations of these two theories, provide an overview of some recent developments within each theory, and conclude with some suggestions about how shareholder and stakeholder principles might be used to construct more effective frameworks for thinking about the role of the modern business fi rm.
Human Body Size and Shape Effect on UWB On-Body WBAN Radio Channels - Preliminary Results

This paper examines differences between wireless ultra wideband radio channels when various test persons are measured. The work bases on static on-body measurements conducted in an anechoic chamber at the frequency range of 2--8 GHz by using a vector network analyzer. Three male and one female test persons were measured. The study was repeated by using two different planar antenna types: dipole and double loop that were attached to four antennas positions on the body. From the resulted frequency domain data, the corresponding time-domain channel impulse responses (CIRs) were solved. First, the path losses of the first arriving paths were compared. Depending on the link type, the path losses behaved differently between the test persons. The average path loss exponent was noted to decrease as the body size increased. The results of the male and female with the same body sizes are similar. Secondly, the excess delays of the CIRs were found out. The excess delay increases with larger body sizes among the males. The female has similar result as the largest male. The dipole antenna has, on the average, longer excess delay than the double loop. Finally, the examination of the cross-correlations between the channels show higher values as the body size is increased. No difference exists between the genders with the same body sizes.
Fit and vigilant: the relationship between poorer aerobic fitness and failures in sustained attention during preadolescence.

UNLABELLED With the growing trend toward engagement in sedentary behaviors during childhood, a greater understanding of the relationship between cardiorespiratory fitness and cognition during development is of increasing importance. OBJECTIVE The aim of this investigation was to assess the extent to which failures in sustained attention may underlie deficits in cognition associated with poorer aerobic fitness. METHOD A sample of 62 preadolescent children between the ages of 9 and 10 years were separated into higher- and lower-fit groups according to their cardiorespiratory fitness. RESULTS Findings indicated that lower-fit children exhibited poorer overall response accuracy during a task requiring aspects of cognitive control relative to their higher-fit counterparts, with a disproportionately greater number of errors of omission, and longer, more frequent sequential errors of omission. CONCLUSIONS These findings suggest that poorer vigilance may contribute to deficits in cognitive control associated with poorer aerobic fitness.
The Scion/Rootstock Genotypes and Habitats Affect Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungal Community in Citrus

Citrus roots have rare root hairs and thus heavily depend on arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) for mineral nutrient uptake. However, the AMF community structure of citrus is largely unknown. By using 454-pyrosequencing of 18S rRNA gene fragment, we investigated the genetic diversity of AMF colonizing citrus roots, and evaluated the impact of habitats and rootstock and scion genotypes on the AMF community structure. Over 7,40,000 effective sequences were obtained from 77 citrus root samples. These sequences were assigned to 75 AMF virtual taxa, of which 66 belong to Glomus, highlighting an absolute dominance of this AMF genus in symbiosis with citrus roots. The citrus AMF community structure is significantly affected by habitats and host genotypes. Interestingly, our data suggests that the genotype of the scion exerts a greater impact on the AMF community structure than that of the rootstock where the physical root-AMF association occurs. This study not only provides a comprehensive assessment for the community composition of the AMF in citrus roots under different conditions, but also sheds novel insights into how the AMF community might be indirectly influenced by the spatially separated yet metabolically connected partner—the scion—of the grafted citrus tree.
Gradient boosted feature selection

A feature selection algorithm should ideally satisfy four conditions: reliably extract relevant features; be able to identify non-linear feature interactions; scale linearly with the number of features and dimensions; allow the incorporation of known sparsity structure. In this work we propose a novel feature selection algorithm, Gradient Boosted Feature Selection (GBFS), which satisfies all four of these requirements. The algorithm is flexible, scalable, and surprisingly straight-forward to implement as it is based on a modification of Gradient Boosted Trees. We evaluate GBFS on several real world data sets and show that it matches or outperforms other state of the art feature selection algorithms. Yet it scales to larger data set sizes and naturally allows for domain-specific side information.