Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Passive Tomography of a 3 G Network : Challenges and Opportunities

Several applications of practical interest stem from the capability to monitor and store packet-level traces in a 3G network. Among them, the possibility to infer and locate network problems (e.g. persistent shortage of capacity, or equipment misfunctioning), in the core and radio sections, without direct access to the equipments. This approach yields strong practical benefits, given the costs and complexity of accessing network equipments, especially in the Radio Access Network. At the same time, it exposes practical issues e.g. the need to dynamically locate the traffic sources (Mobile Stations) and theoretical problems e.g. inferring congested cells from Routing-Area level TCP measurements. We report on our work-in-progress aimed at implementing such mechanisms on top of an advanced monitoring system now deployed in an operational network.
A unified framework for concurrent security: universal composability from stand-alone non-malleability

We present a unified framework for obtaining Universally Composable (UC) protocols by relying on stand-alone secure non-malleable commitments. Essentially all results on concurrent secure computation--both in relaxed models (e.g., quasi-polynomial time simulation), or with trusted set-up assumptions (e.g., the CRS model, the imperfect CRS model, or the timing model)--are obtained as special cases of our framework. This not only leads to conceptually simpler solutions, but also to improved set-up assumptions, round-complexity, and computational assumptions. Additionally, this framework allows us to consider new relaxed models of security: we show that UC security where the adversary is a uniform PPT but the simulator is allowed to be a non-uniform PPT (i.e., essentially, traditional UC security, but with a non-uniform reduction) is possible without any trusted set-up. This gives the first results on concurrent secure computation without set-up, which can be used for securely computing "computationally-sensitive" functionalities (e.g., data-base queries, "proof of work"-protocols, or playing bridge on the Internet).
Automated quantitative description of spiral galaxy arm-segment structure

We describe a system that builds quantitative structural descriptions of spiral galaxies. This enables translation of sky survey images into data needed to help address fundamental astrophysical questions such as the origin of spiral structure - a phenomenon that has eluded full theoretical description despite 150 years of study. The difficulty of automated measurement is underscored by the fact that, to date, only manually-guided efforts (such as the citizen science project Galaxy Zoo) have been able to extract structural information about spiral galaxies. An automated approach is needed to eliminate measurement subjectivity and handle the otherwise-overwhelming image quantities (up to billions of images) from near-future surveys. Our approach automatically describes spiral galaxy structure as a set of arcs fit to pixel clusters, precisely characterizing spiral arm segment arrangement while retaining the flexibility needed to accommodate the observed wide variety of spiral galaxy structure. The largest existing quantitative measurements were manually-guided and encompassed fewer than 100 galaxies, while we have already applied our method to nearly 30,000 galaxies. Our output is consistent with previous information, both quantitatively over small existing samples, and qualitatively with human classifications.
Environmental Change Herbivores Climate Organic matter Soil Properties Soil food web Mycorhizosphere

Belowground carbon allocation (BCA) in forests regulates soil organic matter formation and influences biotic and abiotic properties of soil such as bulk density, cation exchange capacity, and water holding capacity. On a global scale, the total quantity of carbon allocated belowground by terrestrial plants is enormous, exceeding by an order of magnitude the quantity of carbon emitted to the atmosphere through combustion of fossil fuels. Despite the importance of BCA to the functioning of plant and soil communities, as well as the global carbon budget, controls on BCA are relatively poorly understood. Consequently, our ability to predict how BCA will respond to changes in atmospheric greenhouse gases, climate, nutrient deposition, and plant community composition remains rudimentary. In this synthesis, we examine BCA from three perspectives: coarse-root standing stock, belowground net primary production (BNPP), and total belowground carbon allocation (TBCA). For each, we examine methodologies and methodological constraints, as well as constraints of terminology. We then examine available From: Binkley, D. , and O. Menyailo (eds). 2005. Tree Species Effects on Soils: Implications for Global Change. NATO Science Series, Kluwer Academic Publishers, Dordrecht.
Genetic Variability of Show Jumping Attributes in Young Horses Commencing Competing

The aim of the study was to select traits that may constitute a prospective criterion for breeding value prediction of young horses. The results of 1,232 starts of 894 four-, five-, six-, and seven-year-old horses, obtained during jumping championships for young horses which had not been evaluated in, alternative to championships, training centres were analyed. Nine traits were chosen of those recorded: ranking in the championship, elimination (y/n), conformation, rating of style on day one, two, and three, and penalty points on day one, two, and three of a championship. (Co)variance components were estimated via the Gibbs sampling procedure and adequate (co)variance component ratios were calculated. Statistical classifications were trait dependent but all fitted random additive genetic and permanent environment effects. It was found that such characteristics as penalty points and jumping style are potential indicators of jumping ability, and the genetic variability of the traits was within the range of 14% to 27%. Given the low genetic correlations between the conformation and other results achieved on the parkour, the relevance of assessment of conformation in four-years-old horses has been questioned.
Complexity of Event Structure in IE Scenarios

This paper presents new Information Extraction scenarios which are linguistically and structurally more challenging than the traditional MUC scenarios. Traditional views on event structure and template design are not adequate for the more complex scenarios.The focus of this paper is to show the complexity of the scenarios, and propose a way to recover the structure of the event. First we identify two structural factors that contribute to the complexity of scenarios: the scattering of events in text, and inclusion relationships between events. These factors cause difficulty in representing the facts in an unambiguous way. Then we propose a modular, hierarchical representation where the information is split in atomic units represented by templates, and where the inclusion relationships between the units are indicated by links. Lastly, we discuss how we may recover this representation from text, with the help of linguistic cues linking the events.
Remarkable Symmetries in the Milky Way Disc's Magnetic Field

Abstract We apply a new, expanded compilation of extragalactic source Faraday rotation measures (RM) to investigate the broad underlying magnetic structure of the Galactic disk at latitudes ∣b∣ ≲15° over all longitudes l, where our total number of RMs is comparable to those in the combined Canadian Galactic Plane Survey (CGPS) at ∣b∣ < 4° and the Southern Galactic Plane (SGPS) ∣b∣<1.5°. We report newly revealed, remarkably coherent patterns of RM at ∣b∣≲15° from l∼270° to ∼90° and RM(l) features of unprecedented clarity that replicate in l with opposite sign on opposite sides of the Galactic center. They confirm a highly patterned bisymmetric field structure toward the inner disc, an axisymmetic pattern toward the outer disc, and a very close coupling between the CGPS/SGPS RMs at ∣b∣≲3° (‘mid-plane’) and our new RMs up to ∣b∣∼15° (‘near-plane’). Our analysis also shows the vertical height of the coherent component of the disc field above the Galactic disc's mid-plane—to be ∼1.5 kpc out to ∼6 kpc from the Sun. This identifies the approximate height of a transition layer to the halo field structure. We find no RM sign change across the plane within ∣b∣∼15° in any longitude range. The prevailing disc field pattern and its striking degree of large-scale ordering confirm that our side of the Milky Way has a very organized underlying magnetic structure, for which the inward spiral pitch angle is 5.5°±1° at all ∣b∣ up to ∼12° in the inner semicircle of Galactic longitudes. It decreases to ∼0° toward the anticentre.
Given a context by any other name: methodological tools for taming the unruly beast

Our focus is on the study of information needs, seeking, and use in different contexts. However, this chapter spends little time on this focus as such. Instead, this chapter asks the question “What is context? ” on the assumption that to ask a question that is so little asked may prove useful. This chapter looks for possible answers in the literatures of the social sciences generally, both philosophical and observational, focusing particularly on literatures in the communication fields on the assumption that the phenomena of our interest are most usefully defined as communication phenomena.
Confirmation of Expectations and Satisfaction with the Internet Shopping: The Role of Internet Self-efficacy

Customers’ intentions of reusing e-commerce websites for shopping has a major consequence for the website’s profitability; therefore, understanding the factors that influence a Web customer’s repurchase intentions is of great importance to e-commerce. This research represented a careful and systemic effort to incorporate factors from various distinct theories (ECT, SCT, abd TAM), examined the hypotheses within the context of Internet shopping repurchase intentions. Empirical data for hypotheses testing were collected from Taiwan, yielding 342 valid samples. The results suggest that consumer’s repurchase intention is determined by satisfaction and perceived usefulness. Users’ satisfaction is influenced by confirmation and perceived usefulness. Perceived usefulness, in turn, is influenced by confirmation, while confirmation is affected by Internet self-efficacy. However, Internet self-efficacy has found to have no significant impact on perceived usefulness and repurchase intention.
Posterior uterine rupture secondary to use of herbs leading to peritonitis and maternal death in a primigravida following vaginal delivery of a live baby in western Uganda: a case report

Uterine rupture is a potentially avoidable complication resulting in poor perinatal and maternal outcomes. This case had a number of unusual features including delivery of a healthy live baby; spontaneous posterior uterine rupture in a primigravida (and unscarred uterus); and delayed presentation with signs of peritonitis and sepsis rather than haemorrhage. A 19-year old primigravida had a vaginal delivery of a live infant at term, reporting having taken herbs to induce labour. She deteriorated and was transferred to our unit where she was found to have reduced consciousness, a distended abdomen and signs of sepsis. At laparotomy there was blood-stained ascites, signs of peritonitis and a posterior lower segment uterine rupture. A sub-total hysterectomy was performed but the patient's condition worsened resulting in maternal death 5 days post-operatively. This case highlights a number of differences in the presentation, management and outcomes of uterine rupture in resource-poor compared to resource-rich countries.
‘Good Research’ Conducted by Talented High School Students: The Case of Sci-Tech

In this paper, we present SciTech, the summer international research program for talented high school students, organized in the Technion — Israel Institute of Technology [1] [1] The first author of this paper is proud of founding SciTech in 1992 when he was the head of the Harry and Lou Stern Family Science and Technology Youth Center at the Technion. Information on the various activities of the Youth Center aimed at promotion of excellence and interest in mathematics, science and technology of high school students can be found in the website of the Technion (http://www.mechina.technion.ac.il/en/index.html) . Our major thesis is that while taking part in scientific projects under supervision by the Technion research stuff, the high school participants in SciTech are given the opportunity to work as researchers, and not just as learners. We begin with a brief discussion of the term ‘good research. ’ This is followed by a description of SciTech: we outline how students are accepted to the program and what they do in it. The main part of this paper is devoted to discussion of some, not necessarily the most successful, mathematical projects, which we had the pleasure to supervise. We conclude the paper with general observations concerning the projects, based on our experience as SciTech mentors.
Hybrid survivability schemes achieving high connection availability with a reduced amount of backup resources [invited]

Maximizing connection availability in wavelength division multiplexing (WDM) networks is critical because even small disruptions can cause huge data losses. However, there is a trade-off between the level of network survivability and the cost related to the backup resources to be provided. One-hundred percent survivability can be achieved by dedicated path protection (DPP) with multiple prereserved protection paths for each provisioned connection, i.e., DPP (1:N). Unfortunately, the blocking probability performance of DPP (1:N) is negatively affected by the large number of prereserved backup wavelengths standing by unutilized. On the other hand, path restoration (PR)-based solutions ensure good blocking performance at the expense of lower connection availability. The work in this paper aims at finding hybrid network survivability strategies that combine the benefits of both techniques (i.e., high availability with low blocking rate). More specifically, the paper focuses on a double link failure scenario and proposes two strategies. The first one couples DPP (1:1) with path restoration (referred to as DPP + PR) to minimize the number of dropped connections. The second scheme adds the concept of backup reprovisioning (BR), referred to as DPP + BR + PR, in order to further increase the connection availability achieved by DPP + PR. Integer linear programming models for the implementation of the proposed schemes are formulated. Extensive performance evaluation conducted in a path-computation-element-based WDM network scenario shows that DPP + BR + PR and DPP + PR can significantly lower the blocking probability value compared to DPP (1:2) without compromising too much in terms of connection availability.
FOXP1 mutations cause intellectual disability and a recognizable phenotype

Mutations in FOXP1, located at 3p13, have been reported in patients with global developmental delay (GDD), intellectual disability (ID), and speech defects. Mutations in FOXP2, located at 7q31, are well known to cause developmental speech and language disorders, particularly developmental verbal dyspraxia (DVD). FOXP2 has been shown to work co‐operatively with FOXP1 in mouse development. An overlap in FOXP1 and FOXP2 expression, both in the songbird and human fetal brain, has suggested that FOXP1 may also have a role in speech and language disorders. We report on a male child with a 0.19 MB intragenic deletion that is predicted to result in haploinsufficiency of FOXP1. Review of our patient and others reported in the literature reveals an emerging phenotype of GDD/ID with moderate to severe speech delay where expressive speech is most severely affected. DVD appears not to be a distinct feature in this group. Facial features include a broad forehead, downslanting palpebral fissures, a short nose with broad tip, relative or true macrocephaly, a frontal hair upsweep and prominent digit pads. Autistic traits and other behavioral problems are likely to be associated with haploinsufficiency of FOXP1. Congenital malformations may be associated. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
The Role of Mathematics Textbooks in Lower Secondary Education in Croatia: An Empirical Study

This paper reports a study on the use of mathematics textbooks as curriculum resources in lower secondary education in Croatia. The focus of the study is placed on how and why the textbook is used during the teaching of new content and the practicing phase in classrooms. The aim of the study was also to investigate the influence of a textbook on the teaching instructions. The study was conducted using classroom observations supplemented with interviews with mathematics teachers from observed classrooms. The findings showed that the textbook played a central role in teachers' lesson preparation, as well as in the selection of worked examples and practice exercises for the students. Textbooks were also shown to be very important as a source for homework. The interviews revealed the influence of a social dimension on the utilization of mathematics textbooks in the classroom.
A1M/α1-microglobulin is proteolytically activated by myeloperoxidase, binds its heme group and inhibits low density lipoprotein oxidation

α1-microglobulin (A1M) is a 26 kDa plasma and tissue protein with reductase activity and radical- and heme-binding anti-oxidative functions. In addition, exposure of A1M to hemoglobin has been shown to induce proteolytic elimination of a C-terminal tetrapeptide yielding a heme-degrading form, truncated A1M (t-A1M). Myeloperoxidase (MPO), a heme-containing enzyme that catalyzes the production of free radicals and hypochlorite, is released by neutrophils during the inflammatory response to bacterial infections. MPO-induced low density lipoprotein (LDL)-oxidation in blood has been suggested as a causative factor in atherosclerosis. In this study we have hypothesized that A1M interacts with MPO in a similar mode as with hemoglobin, and is a regulator of its activity. The results show that A1M is proteolytically cleaved, with formation of t-A1M, after exposure to MPO, and that t-A1M contains iron and heme-degradation products. The reaction is dependent of pH, time and concentration of substrates and a pH-value around 7 is shown to be optimal for cleavage. Furthermore, A1M inhibits MPO- and hydrogen peroxide-induced oxidation of LDL. The results suggest that A1M may have a role as an inhibitor of the damaging effects of the neutrophil respiratory burst on bystander tissue components.
Pathogenesis of Age-Related Osteoporosis: Impaired Mechano-Responsiveness of Bone Is Not the Culprit

Background According to prevailing understanding, skeletal mechano-responsiveness declines with age and this apparent failure of the mechano-sensory feedback system has been attributed to the gradual bone loss with aging (age-related osteoporosis). The objective of this study was to evaluate whether the capacity of senescent skeleton to respond to increased loading is indeed reduced as compared to young mature skeleton. Methods and Findings 108 male and 101 female rats were randomly assigned into Exercise and Control groups. Exercise groups were subjected to treadmill training either at peak bone mass between 47–61 weeks of age (Mature) or at senescence between 75–102 weeks of age (Senescent). After the training intervention, femoral necks and diaphysis were evaluated with peripheral quantitative computed tomography (pQCT) and mechanical testing; the proximal tibia was assessed with microcomputed tomography (μCT). The μCT analysis revealed that the senescent bone tissue was structurally deteriorated compared to the mature bone tissue, confirming the existence of age-related osteoporosis. As regards the mechano-responsiveness, the used loading resulted in only marginal increases in the bones of the mature animals, while significant exercise-induced increases were observed virtually in all bone traits among the senescent rats. Conclusion The bones of senescent rats displayed a clear ability to respond to an exercise regimen that failed to initiate an adaptive response in mature animals. Thus, our observations suggest that the pathogenesis of age-related osteoporosis is not attributable to impaired mechano-responsiveness of aging skeleton. It also seems that strengthening of even senescent bones is possible – naturally provided that safe and efficient training methods can be developed for the oldest old.
Biofilm formation by Staphylococcus aureus from food contact surfaces in a meat-based broth and sensitivity to sanitizers

This study assessed the capacity of adhesion, the detachment kinetic and the biofilm formation by Staphylococcus aureus isolated from food services on stainless steel and polypropylene surfaces (2 × 2 cm) when cultivated in a meat-based broth at 28 and 7 °C. It was also to study the efficacy of the sanitizers sodium hypochlorite (250 mg/L) and peracetic acid (30 mg/L) in inactivating the bacterial cells in the preformed biofilm. S. aureus strains adhered in high numbers regardless the assayed surface kind and incubation temperature over 72 h. Cells detachment of surfaces revealed high persistence over the incubation period. Number of cells needed for biofilm formation was noted at all experimental systems already after 3 days. Peracetic acid and sodium hypochlorite were not efficient in completely removing the cells of S. aureus adhered on polypropylene and stainless steel surfaces. From these results, the assayed strains revealed high capacity to adhere and form biofilm on polypropylene and stainless steel surfaces under different growth conditions. Moreover, the cells in biofilm matrix were resistant for total removal when submitted to the exposure to sanitizers.
Online educational videos according to specific didactics: the case of mathematics / Los Vídeos educativos en línea desde las didácticas específicas: el caso de las matemáticas

Abstract The vast number of online educational videos available at the moment has generated an emerging area of research concerning their level of suitability. This study considers the epistemic quality of educational videos on mathematics, focusing on the specific content of directly proportional distributions. A qualitative study is used, based on the application of theoretical and methodological tools from the onto-semiotic approach to knowledge and mathematics instruction, principally the notion of epistemic suitability and the identification of algebraic levels. The sample consists of the 31 most popular videos in Spanish on YouTube™ on directly proportional distributions. Analysis reveals interesting results on these kinds of resources. In general, it is observed that they are weak in epistemic suitability, which does not seem to affect their level of popularity. Moreover, the existence of videos with inaccurate arguments or incorrect procedures, together with the diversity of algebraic levels used, indicates that teachers should be careful when selecting them and only recommend those that better suit their students’ needs.