Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Optimal Jamming Attacks and Network Defense Policies in Wireless Sensor Networks

We consider a scenario where a sophisticated jammer jams an area in a single-channel wireless sensor network. The jammer controls the probability of jamming and transmission range to cause maximal damage to the network in terms of corrupted communication links. The jammer action ceases when it is detected by a monitoring node in the network, and a notification message is transferred out of the jamming region. The jammer is detected at a monitor node by employing an optimal detection test based on the percentage of incurred collisions. On the other hand, the network computes channel access probability in an effort to minimize the jamming detection plus notification time. In order for the jammer to optimize its benefit, it needs to know the network channel access probability and number of neighbors of the monitor node. Accordingly, the network needs to know the jamming probability of the jammer. We study the idealized case of perfect knowledge by both the jammer and the network about the strategy of one another, and the case where the jammer or the network lack this knowledge. The latter is captured by formulating and solving optimization problems, the solutions of which constitute best responses of the attacker or the network to the worst-case strategy of each other. We also take into account potential energy constraints of the jammer and the network. We extend the problem to the case of multiple observers and adaptable jamming transmission range and propose a intuitive heuristic jamming strategy for that case.
Large-scale analysis of formant frequency estimation variability in conversational telephone speech

We quantify how the telephone channel and regional dialect influence formant estimates extracted from Wavesurfer [1, 2] in spontaneous conversational speech from over 3,600 native American English speakers. To the best of our knowledge, this is the largest scale study on this topic. We found that F1 estimates are higher in cellular channels than those in landline, while F2 in general shows an opposite trend. We also characterized vowel shift trends in northern states in U.S.A. and compared them with the Northern city chain shift (NCCS) [3]. Our analysis is useful in forensic applications where it is important to distinguish between speaker, dialect, and channel characterisitcs.
Additional materials for the paper: Responses to Monetary Policy Shocks in the East and the West of Europe: A Comparison

A method and apparatus for convening a measured signal which, at least in a first approximation, is related to a quantity of interest by the equation (a): where y is the quantity of interest, x is the measured signal, and k, kN, kZ are constants, into a signal that is a function of the quantity of interest. The method implements the function (b): ln y=prop. ([ln (x-kN)-ln (kZ-x)]) wherein prop. means proportional, and where the function is implemented in an approximated manner by at least two bipolar transistors that have base emitter voltages that are dependent on collector currents of the bipolar transistors for receiving an output signal according to the equation (c): y'=ln y, with y' being the output signal.
XMM-Newton timing mode observations of Mrk 421

We present the results of a detailed temporal analysis of the bright BL Lac object Mrk 421 using the three available long timing mode observations by the EPIC PN camera. This detector mode is characterized by its long life time and is largely free of photon pile-up problems. The source was found in different intensity and variability states differing by up to more than a factor of three in count rate. A time resolved cross correlation analysis between the soft and hard energy bands revealed that the characteristics of the correlated emission, with lags of both signs, change on time scales of a few 10 3 s. Individual spectra, resolved on time scales of ∼100 s, can be quite well fitted by a broken power law and we find significant spectral variations on time scales as short as ∼500–1000 s. Both the hard and the soft band spectral indices show a non-linear correlation with the source flux. A simple power law model of the form Γ ∝ flux −a with ahard ∼ 0.13 and asoft ∼ 0.22 describes rather well the observed trend of decreasing Γ values with increasing flux, which appear to “saturate” at the same limiting value of Γ ∼ 1. 8a t the highest flux levels. A comparison of the observed light curves with numerical results from relativistic hydrodynamic computer simulations of the currently favored shock-in-jet models indicates that any determination of the jet’s physical parameters from “simple” emission models must be regarded with caution: at any time we are seeing the emission from several emission regions distinct in space and time, which are connected by the complex hydrodynamic evolution of the non-uniform jet.
Systematic Sorting

Although prior research has documented differences in the distribution of teacher characteristics across schools serving different student populations, few studies have examined the extent to which teacher sorting occurs within schools. This study uses data from one large urban school district and compares the class assignments of teachers who teach in the same grade and in the same school in a given year. The authors find that less experienced, minority, and female teachers are assigned classes with lower achieving students than are their more experienced, white, and male colleagues. Teachers who have held leadership positions and those who attended more competitive undergraduate institutions are also assigned higher achieving students. These patterns are found at both the elementary and middle/high school levels. The authors explore explanations for these patterns and discuss their implications for achievement gaps, teacher turnover, and the estimation of teacher value-added.
The relative effect of family and financial characteristics on educational echievement

Britain is characterised by a low rate of post compulsory schooling compared to other European countries. To reduce this disparity, the British government has been testing an Education Maintenance Allowance (EMA) where 16 to 19-year olds are given financial support to attend schooling when the family income falls below a threshold. This paper attempts at first separating family and income effects and second estimating the impact of a financial transfer on educational attainment. Children from poorer backgrounds are generally observed to have lower educational outcomes than other youth. However, the mechanism through which household income affects the child's outcomes remains unclear. Either, poorer families are financially constrained which prevents them from investing in the human capital of their offspring, thus, policies of financial support could be efficient at reducing schooling inequality. Or, some parents may be endowed with characteristics that make them less successful on the labour market and worse at parenting. Then, direct support to the children would be more efficient than financial support at reducing inequality in schooling achievements. We propose a methodology that separates financial and familial effects. By simulating a financial support policy, we are able to maintain the observed and unobserved characteristics of the family constant, and estimate the direct effect of an education benefit on post compulsory schooling decisions. As in previous studies, we find that pupils from poorer families are less likely to invest in education. However, a financial transfer would not lead to a significant increase in schooling investment, which supports the view that the family characteristic effects dominate the financial constraint effects. These results may nevertheless be dependent on our methodology. Due to data constraints, we have allocated the financial transfer to the father income, whereas in the currently tested scheme, the EMA goes either to the child or t o the mother. These changes in the recipient of the allocation may have a large effect on our conclusion.
ACT-R/PM and menu selection: applying a cognitive architecture to HCI

Understanding the interaction of a user with a designed device such as a GUI requires clear understanding of three components: the cognitive, perceptual and motor capabilities of the user, the task to be accomplished and the artefact used to accomplish the task. Computational modeling systems which enable serious consideration of all these constraints have only recently begun to emerge. One such system is ACT-R/PM, which is described in detail. ACT-R/PM is a production system architecture that has been augmented with a set of perceptual-motor modules designed to enable the detailed modeling of interactive tasks. Nilsen's (1991) random menu selection task serves two goals: to illustrate the promise of this system and to help further our understanding of the processes underlying menu selection and visual search. Nilsen's original study, two earlier models of the task, and recent eye-tracking data are all considered. Drawing from the best properties of the previous models considered and guided by information from the eye-tracking experiment, a series of new models of random menu selection were constructed using ACT-R/PM. The final model provides a zero-parameter fit to the data that does an excellent, though not perfect, job of capturing the data.
In Vivo Role of a Potassium Channel-Binding Protein in Regulating Neuronal Excitability and Behavior

Molecular details of ion channel interactions with modulatory subunits have been investigated widely in transfected cells, but the physiological roles of ion channel modulatory protein complexes in native neurons remain largely unexplored. The Drosophila large-conductance calcium-activated potassium channel (dSlo) binds to and is modulated by its binding partner Slob. We have constructed flies in which Slob expression is manipulated by P-element mutagenesis, or by transgenic expression of Slob protein or Slob-RNAi. In vivo recordings of both macroscopic and single dSlo channel currents in identified neurosecretory neurons in the pars intercerebralis (PI) region of the Drosophila brain reveal that whole-cell potassium current and properties of single dSlo channels are modulated by Slob expression level. Furthermore, Slob genotype influences action potential duration in vivo. This unprecedented combination of current-clamp, macroscopic-current, and single-channel recordings from neurons in brains of living flies defines a critical role for an ion channel modulatory protein complex in the control of neuronal excitability. We show further that Slob-null flies exhibit significantly longer lifespan than controls under conditions of complete food deprivation. Crosses with deficiency lines demonstrate that this enhanced resistance to starvation-induced death maps close to the slob locus. Together, these results indicate that Slob may serve a novel regulatory function in feeding behavior, possibly by influencing the excitability of the PI neurons.
Author ' s personal copy Subjects and topics in conversation

This paper presents an examination of the expression of subject and topic in conversation, using parameters established by Centering Theory. Based on a corpus analysis of English and Spanish casual conversations, we show (i) under what circumstances the subject and the topic of an utterance coincide (‘topic’ is defined, according to Centering, as the backward-looking center of an utterance); and (ii) what referring expressions are used to encode subject and topic. We found that the Cb is realized as subject most of the time (80% of the utterances in English and 73% in Spanish), showing that topichood and subjecthood tend to be assigned to the same entity. The preferred realization for the Cb in those cases is a pronoun in English and a zero pronoun in Spanish. # 2009 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
Inhibition of phosphodiesterase 4 reduces ethanol intake and preference in C57BL/6J mice

Some anti-inflammatory medications reduce alcohol consumption in rodent models. Inhibition of phosphodiesterases (PDE) increases cAMP and reduces inflammatory signaling. Rolipram, an inhibitor of PDE4, markedly reduced ethanol intake and preference in mice and reduced ethanol seeking and consumption in alcohol-preferring fawn-hooded rats (Hu et al., 2011; Wen et al., 2012). To determine if these effects were specific for PDE4, we compared nine PDE inhibitors with different subtype selectivity: propentofylline (nonspecific), vinpocetine (PDE1), olprinone, milrinone (PDE3), zaprinast (PDE5), rolipram, mesopram, piclamilast, and CDP840 (PDE4). Alcohol intake was measured in C57BL/6J male mice using 24-h two-bottle choice and two-bottle choice with limited (3-h) access to alcohol. Only the selective PDE4 inhibitors reduced ethanol intake and preference in the 24-h two-bottle choice test. For rolipram, piclamilast, and CDP840, this effect was observed after the first 6 h but not after the next 18 h. Mesopram, however, produced a long-lasting reduction of ethanol intake and preference. In the limited access test, rolipram, piclamilast, and mesopram reduced ethanol consumption and total fluid intake and did not change preference for ethanol, whereas CDP840 reduced both consumption and preference without altering total fluid intake. Our results provide novel evidence for a selective role of PDE4 in regulating ethanol drinking in mice. We suggest that inhibition of PDE4 may be an unexplored target for medication development to reduce excessive alcohol consumption.
Biological sex vs. psychological gender-roles in online channel choices: evidence from two studies in the financial services industry

New information technologies offer customers new ways of buying products and services. It is important for companies to understand and predict consumer behavior, yet the findings of biological sex and online channel choices are mixed with contradicting results. Thereby, gender schema theory might explain these gender differences. We used psychological gender-roles to operationalize gender schema theory and we developed two different models to investigate the effect of it on online channel choices. To test these models, we conducted two studies. Results reveal that the biological sex is not effective in explaining channel choices. Instead, we suggest that psychological gender-roles have a direct effect on online channel choices. In addition, psychological gender-roles may also have a moderating effect. Our study contributes to a better understanding of gender-roles in online channel choices.
The state of the nation: the Norwegian King’s annual addresses – a window on a shifting nationhood

ABSTRACT This article supplements the limited research on the monarchy by highlighting the symbolic and cultural value of Norway’s Royal House in nation-building. To maintain his unifying and non-partisan role, the king must balance between conflicting perspectives on national identity. Our analysis of royal New Year’s speeches 1960–2014 examines the concepts of ‘Norwegianness’ conveyed, noting the increasing focus on diversity and a multicultural society.
Stakeholder perspective on internal marketing communication: An ERP implementation case study

Purpose – Communication strategy during the management of change has been one success factor widely cited in the literature. However, despite its recognition within the enterprise resource planning (ERP) domain, there has been little regard for stakeholder perspective and even less for practical suggestions regarding communication planning.Design/methodology/approach – This mixed‐method research investigated the ERP implementation process from the perspective of four key stakeholder groups and generated greater understanding of their differing views on communication effectiveness and preferred communications strategies during the management of change process.Findings – The findings of this study revealed that stakeholders differ, significantly in some respects, in how each group believes certain aspects of the project should be handled, from a tactical communication standpoint.Research limitations/implications – The research is based on a single case study, which adds caution to the generalizability of th.
The B-Band Luminosity Function of Red and Blue Galaxies up to z = 3.5

We have explored the redshift evolution of the luminosity function of red and blue galaxies up to z = 3.5. This was possible by joining a deep I-band composite galaxy sample, which includes the spectroscopic K20 sample and the Hubble Deep Field samples, with the deep HAB = 26 and KAB = 25 samples derived from the deep NIR images of the Hubble Deep Field-North and Hubble Deep Field-South, respectively. About 30% of the sample has spectroscopic redshifts and the remaining fraction well-calibrated photometric redshifts. This allowed us to select and measure galaxies in the rest-frame blue magnitude up to z ~ 3 and derive the redshift evolution of the B-band luminosity function of galaxies separated by their rest-frame U - V color or specific (i.e., per unit mass) star formation rate. The class separation was derived from passive evolutionary tracks or from their observed bimodal distributions. Both distributions appear bimodal at least up to z ~ 2, and the locus of red/early galaxies is clearly identified up to these high redshifts. Both luminosity and density evolutions are needed to describe the cosmological behavior of the red/early and blue/late populations. The density evolution is greater for the early population with a decrease by 1 order of magnitude at z ~ 2-3 with respect to the value at z ~ 0.4. The luminosity densities of the early- and late-type galaxies with MB < -20.6 appear to have a bifurcation at z > 1. Indeed, while star-forming galaxies slightly increase or keep constant their luminosity density, "early" galaxies decrease in their luminosity density by a factor of ~5-6 from z ~ 0.4 to z ~ 2.5-3. A comparison of one of the latest versions of the hierarchical cold dark matter models shows a broad agreement with the observed number and luminosity density evolutions of both populations.
Investigation of early maladaptive schemas in patients with Bipolar Disorder compared to healthy individuals

This study aimed to compare patients with Bipolar Disorder (BD) and healthy controls regarding Early Maladaptive Schemas (EMSs) in Farshchian hospital, Hamadan. This comparative, descriptive-analytical study was conducted on 40 patients with BD selected through convenience sampling. Also, 40 healthy individuals were randomly selected from the hospital staff. The study data were collected using Young Schema Questionnaire-short form. Then, the data were analyzed using MANOVA with SPSS version 19. The results showed a significant difference between the patients with BD and healthy controls regarding negative schemas, including emotional deprivation (p=0.000), instability (p=0.004), mistrust/abuse (p=0.001), social isolation (p=0.001), defectiveness (p=0.001), vulnerability to harm (p=0.002), enmeshment (p=0.0006), subjugation (p=0.000), and entitlement (p=0.014). However, no significant differences were observed between the two groups concerning some other negative schemas, such as failure, incompetence, hyper criticalness, and insufficient self-control. The study results revealed the necessity to understand EMSs in patients with BD and to use them in their treatment. © 2017, Pharmainfo Publications. All rights reserved.
Socioeconomic and demographic drivers of red and processed meat consumption: implications for health and environmental sustainability

Red and processed meat (RPM) intake varies widely globally. In some high-income countries (HIC) the last decade has witnessed an overall decline or stabilisation in the consumption of RPM, in contrast to emerging economies where its consumption continues to increase with rising income and rapid urbanisation. The production and consumption of RPM have become major concerns regarding the environmental impacts of livestock in particular, but also because of associations between high RPM consumption and diet-related non-communicable disease. Therefore, it is important to identify socioeconomic and demographic drivers of the consumption of RPM. This paper explores how consumption of RPM differs with age, gender, socioeconomic status and in different global contexts. There are some key socioeconomic and demographic patterns in RPM consumption. Men tend to consume RPM more often and in higher quantities, and there is evidence of a social gradient in HIC, with lower socioeconomic groups consuming RPM more often and in larger quantities. Patterns for consumption with age are less clear cut. It is apparent that consumers in HIC are still consuming high levels of RPM, although the downward shifts in some socioeconomic and demographic groups is encouraging and suggests that strategies could be developed to engage those consumers identified as high RPM consumers. In low- and middle-income countries, RPM consumption is rising, especially in China and Brazil, and in urban areas. Ways of encouraging populations to maintain their traditional healthy eating patterns need to be found in low- and middle-income countries, which will have health, environmental and economic co-benefits.
Prognostic Value of Soluble ST2 During Hospitalization for ST-Segment Elevation Myocardial Infarction

Background Studying the role of soluble ST2 (sST2) during hospitalization for myocardial infarction (MI) can be helpful for predicting the course of the hospitalization and development of complications. Methods We included 88 patients with MI (median age, 58 yr). Depending on the course of the hospitalization, the patients were divided into two groups: the favorable (n=58) and unfavorable (n=30) outcome groups. On days 1 and 12 after MI, serum sST2 and N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) were measured by ELISA. Results On day 1, the concentrations of sST2 and NT-proBNP increased 2.4- and 4.5-fold, compared with the controls. Measurements on day 12 showed a significant decrease in the sST2 level (P=0.001), whereas the NT-proBNP level did not change. On day 1, the sST2 level in the unfavorable outcome group was 2-fold higher than that in the favorable outcome group and 3.7-fold higher than in the controls. On day 12, the marker level decreased in both groups. On day 1, the NT-proBNP level in the unfavorable outcome group was 6.8-fold higher than in the controls and 1.8-fold higher than in the favorable outcome group. On day 12, the level of NT-proBNP remained elevated in both groups. Determining the levels of both sST2 and NT-proBNP increases their diagnostic significance (odds ratio [OR], 1.92; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.7-3.2; areas under curve [AUC] 0.89; P=0.004). Conclusions The level of sST2 is a more sensitive indicator during MI hospitalization than NT-proBNP.