Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
No Need for Black Chambers: Testing TLS in the E-mail Ecosystem at Large

TLS is the most widely used cryptographic protocol on the Internet today. While multiple recent studies focused on its use in HTTPS and the adoption rate of additional security measures over time, the usage of TLS in e-mail-related protocols is still lacking detailed insights. End-to-end encryption mechanisms like PGP are seldomly used, and as such today's confidentiality in the e-mail ecosystem is based entirely on the encryption of the transport layer. However, a large fraction of e-mails is still transmitted unencrypted, which is highly disproportionate with the sensitive nature of e-mail communication content. A well-positioned attacker may be able to intercept plaintext communication content as well as communication metadata passively and at ease. We are the first to collect and analyze the complete state of today's e-mail-related TLS configuration, for the entire IPv4 address range. Our methodology is based on commodity hardware and open-source software, and we draw a comprehensive picture of the current state of security mechanisms on the transport layer for e-mail by scanning cipher suite support which was previously considered impossible due to numerous constraints. We collected and scanned a massive dataset of 20 million IP/port combinations of all e-mail-related protocols (SMTP, POP3, IMAP). Over a time span of approx. Three months we conducted more than 10 billion TLS handshakes. Additionally, we show that securing server-to-server communication using e.g. SMTP is inherently more difficult than securing client-to-server communication, and that while the overall trend points in the right direction there are still many steps needed towards secure e-mail.
The role of shame, guilt and embarrassment in online social dilemmas

The self-conscious emotions of shame, guilt and embarrassment are known for regulating human societies by (1) encouraging the wrongdoer to further comply and (2) extending reparation to the one damaged. Self-awareness is a requisite for the experience of self-conscious emotions. In this paper, we hypothesise that low self-awareness online deprives an offender of the emotional consequences that usually follow a norm violation. Therefore, the aforementioned pro-social benefits of self-conscious emotions are not made possible. We test this hypothesis in a study during which online offenders were assigned to either high or low self-awareness conditions. The results show that high self-aware participants, in contrast to low self-aware participants, experience more self-conscious emotions, collaborate more when given a second opportunity and apologise more frequently.
The prediction of the success of first-year MBA candidates: One business school as a case study

Abstract The focus of this study was to determine the best predictors of academic success of first-year MBA students. Selection criteria and variables are tested for the reliable prediction of successful completion of the first year of an MBA programme (MBAI). A longitudinal quantitative research design is followed using data of students from a South African business school, enrolled between the years 2006 and 2013. The study population consisted of a total of N =777 students enrolled on the MBA programme for this period. Numerical- and verbal cognitive ability assessments gathered as part of enrolment assessment were used and compared to MBAI examination results. Logistic regression analysis was used to determine the significance of different variables to predict MBA first-year success, defined here as the successful completion of all first-year MBA modules within the first academic year. Results indicate that cognitive ability is related to MBA first-year success. The numerical was a better predictor than the verbal cognitive assessment. Type of undergraduate education was found to play a role in MBA first-year success. Language of delivery proved to have an influence on academic performance and Younger students performed better than their older counterparts did. Determining the best predictors MBA first-year success has practical implications on selection processes and throughput.
Pollution and Climate-Induced Respiratory Health Effects: Do National Standards Adequately Provided a Safe Threshold for NOX and O3 in Urban New Jersey?

Despite the decline in ambient concentrations of nitrogen oxides (NOx) and groundlevel ozone (O3), adverse health effects have been observed at levels below federal standards. We examine the meteorological dependence of NOx and O3 for resultant respiratory health outcomes. The objectives were to characterize the temporal and seasonal variations in ambient concentrations of NOx and O3 as a plausible explanation for respiratory hospital admissions in the Meadowlands. The meteorological conditions and air pollutants that may be associated with respiratory hospital admissions were analyzed through path analytic models by using stepwise multiple regressions and bivariate correlations. Increases in O3 and NOx were associated with respiratory hospital admissions. The lowest hospital admissions occurred when NOx concentrations were also at their lowest and corresponded to months with maximum photochemical activity. Hospital admissions in the fall, winter and spring were higher than in summer. There was a positive relationship between hospital admissions and personal exposure to NO2 (r=0.359) and NOx (r=0.317) over the short-term. With one unit increase in O3, respiratory hospital admissions increased by 0.7 (95% CI: 0.254, 1.23) at 2 lag days and 0.5 (95% CI: 0.107, 0.969) with one unit increase in NOx. Respiratory hospital admissions were not strongly distinguished by high O3 concentrations in the summer except at lag intervals. Unlike O3, NOx did not show consistent seasonal behavior. This study provides evidence for additional plans for protection against respiratory illnesses, as well as an incentive for setting improved air quality standards in similar regions.
Pengaruh Word Of Mouth Terhadap Purchase Intention Melalui Brand Image Pada Lembaga Kursus Bahasa Inggris Dynamic English Course Pare

Penelitian ini bertujuan mengetahui seberapa besar pengaruh Word Of Mouth terhadap Purchase Intention melalui Brand Image pada lembaga kursus bahasa inggris Dynamic English Course Pare – Kediri. Penelitian ini menggunakan metode SEM PLS dengan bantuan software SmartPLS didapatkan hasil signifikansi pengaruh Word Of Mouth terhadap Brand Image, Word Of Mouth Terhadap Purchase Intention, Brand Image terhadap Purchase Intention dan Word Of Mouth Terhadap Purchase Intention melalui Brand Image sebesar 24,3%, 65,3%, 33,6% dan 46,4%. Dengan demikian semua dinyatakan signifikan karena semua mempengaruhi Purchase Intention dan Brand Image memediasi sempurna Word Of Mouth dengan Purchase Intention karena dapat meningkatkan pengaruh sebesar 21,9%.
Burkholderia tropicalis, a potential bacterial inoculant to control nematodes and improve sugarcane growth.

The bacterial genus Burkholderia is abundant in the sugarcane rhizosphere. Literature states that some Burkholderia strains are nematode and fungal antagonists and/or plant growth promoters. Research was undertaken to obtain indigenous sugarcane-associated Burkholderia strains that possess these properties. Preliminary screening produced 13 isolates that are able to paralyse juveniles of Meloidogyne spp. This collection of isolates comprised Burkholderia cepacia complex, B. gladioli, B. caribensis, B. fungorum and a new species, B. tropicalis. Since B. cepacia complex and B. fungorum are associated with hospital infections, these species were omitted from further study. B. gladioli is often a mild plant pathogen, and was thus also eliminated. B. tropicalis, which has never been associated with clinical cases, was found to be an endophyte that enhances maize growth and fixes nitrogen. Consequently, search was made in sugarcane for N-fixing strains of B. tropicalis that are antagonistic to plant parasitic nematodes and various plant pathogens such as the smut fungus, Ustilago scitaminea, and Fusarium spp. Strain LM1-376.8 belongs to B. tropicalis and has been isolated from the rhizosphere of sugarcane. It fixes nitrogen and is antagonistic to nematodes, but not to certain pathogenic fungi. A culture medium has been designed for the isolation of more N-fixing B. tropicalis. To confirm the identification of B. tropicalis, a speciesspecific PCR was designed. The expected outcome of this research is the selection of strains whose inoculation would benefit sugarcane yield through a combination of anti-nematode, anti-fungal and growth promotion properties.
Tidal marshes as energy sources for commercially important nektonic organisms: stable isotope analysis

Tidal marshes provide nursery habitats for many commercial nektonic species; thus, determining trophic linkages between tidal marshes and aquatic consumers is important for sustain- ing fishery production in estuarine ecosystems. We examined stable isotopes (δ 13 C, δ 15 N) in 4 com- mercial nekton species (Chelon haematocheilus, Synechogobius ommaturus, Lateolabrax maculatus and Exopalaemon carinicauda) in the tidal marshes of the Yangtze River estuary, China. We esti- mated the frequency and range of potential contribution (0 to 100%) from different food sources (benthic microalgae, suspended particulate organic matter, the invasive C4 plant Spartina alterniflora and native C3 plants Phragmites australis and Scirpus mariqueter) to the nektonic consumers, and then pooled the contributions for primary producers with similar isotope values (giving 3 groups: microalgae, invasive C4 plant and native C3 plants). Marsh vascular plants and microalgae were at the base of the food web supporting these nektonic species. For C. haematocheilus and S. ommatu- rus, vascular plants constituted a larger fraction of their carbon source than microalgae. S. alterniflora contributed more than 50% of their total organic carbon and was more important than the native C3 plants. For L. maculatus and E. carinicauda, intermediate δ 13 C values precluded definitive assign- ment of a major carbon source. We have shown that tidal marshes provide important food sources for some dominant estuarine nektonic species, and that the exotic plant S. alterniflora has been incorpo- rated into aquatic food webs of the Yangtze River estuary.
Testing the Health Belief Model among African-American Gay/Bisexual Men with Self-Efficacy and Minority-Specific Contextual Variables

abstract:This study used structural equation modeling to test variations of the Health Belief Model in predicting safer sex intentions among 151 African-American gay/bisexual men. Acculturation and gay socialization were included to see if minority-specific contextual variables improved the model fit. Perceived severity, perceived vulnerability, and cues to action did not improve the model. Including self-efficacy as a mediating variable improved the model and overall prediction of safer sex intentions. Although acculturation and gay socialization were not statistically significant additions to the model, there are conceptual and practical reasons why these variables may influence safer sex intentions among African-American gay/bisexual men.
An ERP study on initial second language vocabulary learning.

This study examined the very initial phases of orthographic and semantic acquisition in monolingual native English speakers learning Chinese words under controlled laboratory conditions. Participants engaged in 10 sessions of vocabulary learning, four of which were used to obtain ERPs. Performance in behavioral tests improved over sessions, and these data were used to define fast and slow learners. Most important is that ERPs in the two groups of learners revealed qualitatively distinct learning patterns. Only fast learners showed a left-lateralized increase in N170 amplitude with training. Furthermore, only fast learners showed an increased N400 amplitude with training, with a distinct anterior distribution. Slow learners, on the other hand, showed a posterior positive effect, with increasingly positive-going waveforms in occipital sites as training progressed. Possible mechanisms underlying these qualitative differences are discussed.
A Unified Approach for Simultaneous Gene Clustering and Differential Expression Identification

Summary Although both clustering and identification of differentially expressed genes are equally essential in most microarray studies, the two tasks are often conducted without regard to each other. This is clearly not the most efficient way of extracting information. The main aim of this article is to develop a coherent statistical method that can simultaneously cluster and detect differentially expressed genes. Through information sharing between the two tasks, the proposed approach gives more sensible clustering among genes and is more sensitive in identifying differentially expressed genes. The improvement over existing methods is illustrated in both our simulation results and a case study.
Uncertain deduction and conditional reasoning

There has been a paradigm shift in the psychology of deductive reasoning. Many researchers no longer think it is appropriate to ask people to assume premises and decide what necessarily follows, with the results evaluated by binary extensional logic. Most every day and scientific inference is made from more or less confidently held beliefs and not assumptions, and the relevant normative standard is Bayesian probability theory. We argue that the study of “uncertain deduction” should directly ask people to assign probabilities to both premises and conclusions, and report an experiment using this method. We assess this reasoning by two Bayesian metrics: probabilistic validity and coherence according to probability theory. On both measures, participants perform above chance in conditional reasoning, but they do much better when statements are grouped as inferences, rather than evaluated in separate tasks.
Applying Moral Foundations Theory to the Explanation of Capital Jurors’ Sentencing Decisions

Abstract This study applies moral foundations theory to capital juror decision making. We hypothesized that binding moral foundations would predict death qualification and punitive sentencing decisions, whereas individualizing moral foundations would be associated with juror disqualification and a leniency effect. Additionally, we considered whether moral foundations can explain differences in death penalty application between conservatives and liberals. Respondents from two independent samples participated in a mock-juror task in which the circumstances of a hypothetical defendant’s case varied. Results revealed moral foundations were strong predictors of death qualification. The binding and individualizing foundations were related to sentencing decisions in the expected ways. Supporting our contention that moral foundations operate differently across different types of cases, heterogeneity in the effects of moral foundations was observed. Finally, we found support for the hypothesis that the relationship between sentencing decisions and conservatism would be attenuated by moral foundations.
A Posteriori Error Estimation in Finite Element Analysis

This monograph presents a summary account of the subject of a posteriori error estimation for finite element approximations of problems in mechanics. The study primarily focuses on methods for linear elliptic boundary value problems. However, error estimation for unsymmetrical systems, nonlinear problems, including the Navier-Stokes equations, and indefinite problems, such as represented by the Stokes problem are included. The main thrust is to obtain error estimators for the error measured in the energy norm, but techniques for other norms are also discussed.
New Rapid Method of DNA Isolation from Milk Somatic Cells

ABSTRACT Isolation of genomic DNA is one of the basic steps in many different molecular analyses. There are a few reports on methods of DNA isolation from milk, but many of them are time consuming and expensive, and require relatively large volumes of raw milk. In this study a rapid, sensitive, and efficient method of DNA extraction from milk somatic cells of various mammals (cattle, sheep, goats, horses) is presented. It was found that milk is a good source of genomic DNA, and to obtain a sufficient amount and quality of DNA, suitable for molecular analysis such as PCR, 10 mL of raw milk is sufficient. Thanks to this method, stress in animals can be reduced during collection of researched material. Therefore, this method could be widely used in molecular analyses.
Diet-Induced Obesity and Ghrelin Effects on Pituitary Gonadotrophs: Immunohistomorphometric Study in Male Rats

Objective The close relationship between energy metabolism, nutritional state, and reproductive physiology suggests that nutritional and metabolic disorders can disrupt normal reproductive function and fertility. Considering the importance of leptin and ghrelin effects in regulation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis, the objective of this study was to investigate the influence of obesity and centrally applied ghrelin on immunohistochemical appearance and quantitative morphology of the pituitary follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH) producing cells in adult male rats. Materials and Methods In this experimental study, animals were given two differ- ent diets: normal-fat (NF) and high-fat (HF), for 4 weeks, corresponding to normal and positive energy balance (n=2×14), respectively. Each group was subsequently divided into two subgroups (n=7) receiving intracerebroventricular (ICV) injections of either ghrelin [G, 1 µg/5 µL phosphate buffered saline (PBS)] or vehicle (5 µL PBS, control group) every 24 hours for five consecutive days. Results Morphometric analyses showed that in HF control group, the percentage of FSH cells per unit volume of total pituitary gland tissue (in μm3), i.e. volume density (Vvc), was increased (P<0.05) by 9.1% in comparison with the NF controls. After ICV treatment with ghrelin, volume (Vc) and volume density (Vvc) of FSH cells in ghrelin+NF (GNF) and ghrelin+HF (GHF) groups remained unchanged in comparison with NF and HF controls. Volume of LH cells in HF control group was increased by 17% (P<0.05), but their Vvc was decreased by 8.3% (P<0.05) in comparison with NF controls. In GNF group, the volume of LH cells increased by 7% (P<0.05), in comparison with the NF controls, but in GHF group, the same parameter remained unchanged when compared with HF controls. The central application of ghrelin de- creased the Vvc of LH cells only in GNF group by 38.9% (P<0.05) in comparison with the NF control animals. Conclusion The present study has shown that obesity and repetitive ICV administra- tion of low doses of ghrelin, in NF and HF rats, modulated the immunohistomorphometric features of gonadotrophs, indicating the importance of obesity and ghrelin in regulation of the reproductive function.
Adhesion Properties of Lactic Acid Bacteria on Intestinal Mucin

Lactic acid bacteria (LAB) are Gram-positive bacteria that are natural inhabitants of the gastrointestinal (GI) tracts of mammals, including humans. Since Mechnikov first proposed that yogurt could prevent intestinal putrefaction and aging, the beneficial effects of LAB have been widely demonstrated. The region between the duodenum and the terminal of the ileum is the primary region colonized by LAB, particularly the Lactobacillus species, and this region is covered by a mucus layer composed mainly of mucin-type glycoproteins. The mucus layer plays a role in protecting the intestinal epithelial cells against damage, but is also considered to be critical for the adhesion of Lactobacillus in the GI tract. Consequently, the adhesion exhibited by lactobacilli on mucin has attracted attention as one of the critical factors contributing to the persistent beneficial effects of Lactobacillus in a constantly changing intestinal environment. Thus, understanding the interactions between Lactobacillus and mucin is crucial for elucidating the survival strategies of LAB in the GI tract. This review highlights the properties of the interactions between Lactobacillus and mucin, while concomitantly considering the structure of the GI tract from a histochemical perspective.
Effects of Calorie Restriction and Diet-Induced Obesity on Murine Colon Carcinogenesis, Growth and Inflammatory Factors, and MicroRNA Expression

Obesity is an established colon cancer risk factor, while preventing or reversing obesity via a calorie restriction (CR) diet regimen decreases colon cancer risk. Unfortunately, the biological mechanisms underlying these associations are poorly understood, hampering development of mechanism-based approaches for preventing obesity-related colon cancer. We tested the hypotheses that diet-induced obesity (DIO) would increase (and CR would decrease) colon tumorigenesis in the mouse azoxymethane (AOM) model. In addition, we established that changes in inflammatory cytokines, growth factors, and microRNAs are associated with these energy balance-colon cancer links, and thus represent mechanism-based targets for colon cancer prevention. Mice were injected with AOM once a week for 5 weeks and randomized to: 1) control diet; 2) 30% CR diet; or 3) DIO diet. Mice were euthanized at week 5 (n = 12/group), 10 (n = 12/group), and 20 (n = 20/group) after the last AOM injection. Colon tumors were counted, and cytokines, insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1), IGF binding protein 3 (IGFBP-3), adipokines, proliferation, apoptosis, and expression of microRNAs (miRs) were measured. The DIO diet regimen induced an obese phenotype (∼36% body fat), while CR induced a lean phenotype (∼14% body fat); controls were intermediate (∼26% body fat). Relative to controls, DIO increased (and CR decreased) the number of colon tumors (p = 0.01), cytokines (p<0.001), IGF-1 (p = 0.01), and proliferation (p<0.001). DIO decreased (and CR increased) IGFBP-3 and apoptosis (p<0.001). miRs including mir-425, mir-196, mir-155, mir-150, mir-351, mir-16, let-7, mir34, and mir-138 were differentially expressed between the dietary groups. We conclude that the enhancing effects of DIO and suppressive effects of CR on colon carcinogenesis are associated with alterations in several biological pathways, including inflammation, IGF-1, and microRNAs.
Attitudes of secondary school students towards doing research and design activities

ABSTRACT Research and design activities are often employed in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering & Mathematics) education. This study aims to examine students’ attitudes towards doing research and design activities in secondary school, among two groups of students: (1) students that take the quite recently introduced Dutch subject O&O (research & design), in which students perform authentic research and design projects related to STEM disciplines; and (2) students that do not take O&O. The subject O&O is only taught at a limited number of certified, so called ‘Technasium’, schools. A questionnaire, developed by the authors, was completed by 1625 students from Grades 8 and 11. Unlike previous studies on student attitudes, which usually use abstract concepts like ‘science’ or ‘technology’, the questionnaire used in this study contains active verbs to characterise research and design activities. The results showed that, in general, students who took the subject O&O had more positive attitudes towards doing research and design activities than regular students. Both student groups appeared to find doing research activities more relevant than doing design activities. The results of this study provide useful information for teachers as well as teacher educators about the existing attitudes of students, for example their preference for design projects over research projects.