Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Tracing Information Flows Between Ad Exchanges Using Retargeted Ads

Numerous surveys have shown that Web users are concerned about the loss of privacy associated with online tracking. Alarmingly, these surveys also reveal that people are also unaware of the amount of data sharing that occurs between ad exchanges, and thus underestimate the privacy risks associated with online tracking. In reality, the modern ad ecosystem is fueled by a flow of user data between trackers and ad exchanges. Although recent work has shown that ad exchanges routinely perform cookie matching with other exchanges, these studies are based on brittle heuristics that cannot detect all forms of information sharing, especially under adversarial conditions. In this study, we develop a methodology that is able to detect client- and server-side flows of information between arbitrary ad exchanges. Our key insight is to leverage retargeted ads as a tool for identifying information flows. Intuitively, our methodology works because it relies on the semantics of how exchanges serve ads, rather than focusing on specific cookie matching mechanisms. Using crawled data on 35,448 ad impressions, we show that our methodology can successfully categorize four different kinds of information sharing behavior between ad exchanges, including cases where existing heuristic methods fail. We conclude with a discussion of how our findings and methodologies can be leveraged to give users more control over what kind of ads they see and how their information is shared between ad exchanges.
Speaking Self-Efficacy and EFL Student Teachers’ Speaking Achievement

This study was to find out the significant correlation between students’ speaking self-efficacy and their speaking achievement and to know the significant influence of speaking self-efficacy on their speaking achievement. The population of the study was 470 active students of English Education Study Program of Tarbiyah Faculty and Teaching Sciences at State Islamic University of Raden Fatah Palembang in academic year 2017/2018. The sample of this study was 103 students of all the students in sixth semester chosen by using purposive sampling technique, but there were 96 students participating when the study was conducted. A questionnare was used to measure students’ speaking self-efficacy and a speaking test was conducted to know students’ speaking achievement. The collected data then were analyzed by using the correlational and regression analysis computerized with SPSS 22. Based on the analysis results, it was found that there was statistically significant positive correlation between self-efficacy and speaking achievement in p-output was 0.00 which was smaller that 0.05 (0.00<0.05). Besides, the correlational coefficient of the test was . 349. Thus, the level of correlation was weak. This study also indicated that students’ speaking-self-efficacy influenced their speaking achievement with contribution 12.2%.
Brain Drain and Inequality Across Nations

Is the brain drain a curse or a boon for developing countries? This paper reviews what is known to date about the magnitude of the brain drain from developing to developed countries, its determinants and the way it affects the well-being of those left behind. First, I present alternative measures of the brain drain and characterize its evolution over the last 25 years. Then, I review the theoretical and empirical literature. Although the brain drain is a major source of concern for origin countries, it also induces positive effects through various channels such as remittances, return migration, diaspora externalities, quality of governance and increasing return to education. Whilst many scientists and international institutions praise the unambiguous benefits of unskilled migration for developing countries, my analysis suggests that a limited but positive skilled emigration rate (say between 5 and 10 percent) can also be good for development. Nevertheless, the current spatial distribution of the brain drain is such that many poor countries are well above this level, such as sub-Saharan African and Central American countries.
Heart rate responses to affective and nonaffective visual stimuli by aggressive and nonaggressive mentally retarded adults and nonhandicapped adults

3. When a map, drawing or chart, etc., is part o f the material being photo­ graphed the photographer has followed a definite m ethod in “ sectioning” the material. I t is customary to begin filming at the upper left hand com er o f a large sheet and to continue from left to right in equal sections with small overlaps. If necessary, sectioning is continued again—beginning below the first row and continuing on until complete.
Market risk models for intraday data

Abstract In this paper, market risk at an intraday time horizon is quantified using normal GARCH, Student GARCH, RiskMetrics and high-frequency duration (log-ACD) models set in the framework of the conditional VaR methodology. Because of the small time horizon of the intraday returns (15 and 30 minute returns in this paper), an evaluation of intraday market risk can be useful to market participants (traders, market makers) involved in frequent trading. As expected, the volatility features an important intraday seasonality, which must be removed prior to using the market risk models. The four models are applied to intraday returns data for three stocks traded on the New York Stock Exchange and it is shown that the Student GARCH model performs best. The use of price durations as a measure of risk on time is commented upon.
UvA-DARE ( Digital Academic Repository ) Minimal access surgery in children : Implementation of an innovating technique

Getting safely through the learning curve for specific operations in pediatric minimal invasive surgery is challenging. Thoracoscopic lobectomy (TL) is a highly demanding operation in children and has several advantages compared to open lobectomy (OL). But implementation of this technique could be arduous. A program using the masterapprentice model (MAM) was started to implement this highly advanced thoracoscopic technique as safely as possible in our hospital. Aim. To analyse the results obtained during the implementation process of TL using the MAM. The process is described and the results will be compared with OL from our institution to judge if continuation of TL is legitimate. Methods. Thirteen TL patients (2009 2012) and 17 OL patients (1987 2012) were retrospectively compared. Indications were sequestration and congenital pulmonary airway malformation (CPAM). The process of implementation, description of the operative procedure and characteristics of MAM were extensively described. Results: Operation time was longer in the TL group (median 173 minutes TL vs 143 OL) and length of stay in TL patients (median 3 days) was shorter than in the OL group (median 5 days). Duration of chest tube drainage was shorter in the TL group (2 versus 3 days). There were two complications in the TL group and seven in the OL group, but the two groups were not in all aspects comparable. Conclusion: Implementation of thoracoscopic lobectomies using the Master Apprentice Model is safe and the obtained results justify the continuation of TL.
BeesyBees - efficient and reliable execution of service-based workflow applications for BeesyCluster using distributed agents

The paper presents an architecture and implementation that allows distributed execution of workflow applications in BeesyCluster using agents. BeesyCluster is a middleware that allows users to access distributed resources as well as publish applications as services, define service costs, grant access to other users and consume services published by others. Workflows created in the BeesyCluster middleware are exported to BPEL and executed by agents in a distributed environment. As a proof of concept, we have implemented a real workflow for parallel processing of digital images and tested it in a real cluster-based environment. Firstly, we demonstrate that engaging several agents for distributed execution is more efficient than a centralized approach.We also show increasing negotiation time in case of too many agents. Secondly, we demonstrate that execution in the proposed environment is reliable even in case of failures. If a service fails, a task agent picks a new equivalent service at runtime. If one of task agents fails, another of remaining agents takes over its responsibilities. The communication between the middleware, agents and services is encrypted.
Emerging Market Business Cycles: The Cycle Is the Trend

Emerging market business cycles exhibit strongly countercyclical current accounts, consumption volatility that exceeds income volatility, and “sudden stops” in capital inflows. These features contrast with developed small open economies. Nevertheless, we show that a standard model characterizes both types of markets. Motivated by the frequent policy regime switches observed in emerging markets, our premise is that these economies are subject to substantial volatility in trend growth. Our methodology exploits the information in consumption and net exports to identify the persistence of productivity. We find that shocks to trend growth—rather than transitory fluctuations around a stable trend—are the primary source of fluctuations in emerging markets. The key features of emerging market business cycles are then shown to be consistent with this underlying income process in an otherwise standard equilibrium model.
Why Are Sensory Axons More Vulnerable for Ischemia than Motor Axons?

Objective In common peripheral neuropathies, sensory symptoms usually prevail over motor symptoms. This predominance of sensory symptoms may result from higher sensitivity of sensory axons to ischemia. Methods We measured median nerve compound sensory action potentials (CSAPs), compound muscle action potentials (CMAPs), and excitability indices in five healthy subjects during forearm ischemia lasting up to disappearance of both CSAPs and CMAPs. Results Ischemia induced: (1) earlier disappearance of CSAPs than CMAPs (mean ± standard deviation 30±5 vs. 46±6 minutes), (2) initial changes compatible with axonal depolarization on excitability testing (decrease in threshold, increase in strength duration time constant (SDTC) and refractory period, and decrease in absolute superexcitability) which were all more prominent in sensory than in motor axons, and (3) a subsequent decrease of SDTC reflecting a decrease in persistent Na+ conductance during continuing depolarisation. Interpretation Our study shows that peripheral sensory axons are more vulnerable for ischemia than motor axons, with faster inexcitability during ischemia. Excitability studies during ischemia showed that this was associated with faster depolarization and faster persistent Na+ channel inactivation in sensory than in motor axons. These findings might be attributed to differences in ion channel composition between sensory and motor axons and may contribute to the predominance of sensory over motor symptoms in common peripheral neuropathies.
Integrin Profile and In Vivo Homing of Human Smooth Muscle Progenitor Cells

Background—Recently, we identified circulating smooth muscle progenitor cells (SPCs) in human peripheral blood. The integrin profile of such progenitors is currently unknown and may affect their in vivo homing characteristics. In this study, we determined the integrin profile of vascular progenitors and SPC adhesion to extracellular matrix (ECM) proteins in vitro and in vivo. Methods and Results—SPCs and endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) were isolated from peripheral blood of healthy human subjects, and expression of surface integrins and adhesion to several vascular ECM proteins were determined. Homing of SPCs in vivo to specific ECM protein was determined by intracoronary infusion of fluorescent SPCs into porcine coronary arteries containing a fibronectin-coated mesh stent. SPCs had high expression of &bgr;1 integrin, moderate expression of &agr;1, low levels of &agr;v&bgr;3, and did not express &agr;v&bgr;5, &bgr;2, &agr;2&bgr;1, or &agr;4&bgr;1 integrins. In contrast, EPCs had high expression of &agr;2&bgr;1, &agr;v&bgr;3, &agr;v&bgr;5, &bgr;1, and &agr;1 and minimal expression of &agr;4&bgr;1. Moreover, SPCs showed increased adherence to fibronectin and collagen type I compared with vitronectin, consistent with their integrin profile, and demonstrated a similar degree of in vivo attachment to fibronectin-coated mesh. Conclusions—These data for the first time show a spectrum of integrin expression on vascular progenitors and suggest the potential importance of integrins in mediating adherence of SPCs to specific ECM both in vitro and in vivo.
Outperformed: how the envy reflex influences status seeking service consumers’ engagement

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to assist service management academics and providers of positional services (i.e. services that provide status attainment benefits to consumers) to better understand how the envy reflex of outperformed consumers operates as an endemic emotional theme that, if properly managed, can be harnessed to improve consumer engagement outcomes.Design/methodology/approachThe objectives of the research were addressed via two quantitative studies. In a preliminary descriptive study, the types of services consumers classify as “positional” were identified (n=351) and a measure of consumer perceived positional value was developed (n=179). In the main study, a 2 × 2 between-subjects quasi-experimental design was adopted using a sample of positional service consumers (n=265) with the data analysed via SEM and two-way MANCOVA.FindingsThe main study found a significant mediation effect of the envy reflex on the relationship between consumer perceived positional value and the overall likelihood of an engagement intention for outperformed positional service consumers. In addition, specific engagement intentions were predicted for outperformed consumers with a high envy reflex after considering how deserving they perceived a superior performer to be.Originality/valueThis research contributes to the burgeoning scholarly interest in the envy reflex as a consumption emotion by demonstrating its influence on consumer engagement outcomes. The research also demonstrates how tactics informed by appraisal theories of emotion can be used to manage endemic emotional themes in service environments to improve engagement outcomes.
Discrete-Time Methods for the Analysis of Event Histories

The history of an individual or group can always be characterized as a sequence of events. People finish school, enter the labor force, marry, give birth, get promoted, change employers, retire, and ultimately die. Formal organizations merge, adopt innovations, and go bankrupt. Nations experience wars, revolutions, and peaceful changes of government. It is surely the business of sociology to explain and predict the occurrence of such events. Why is it, for example, that some individuals try marijuana while others do not? Why do some people marry early while others marry late? Do educational
Ash Content and Calorific Energy of Corn Stover Components in Eastern Canada

Corn stover is an abundant agricultural residue that could be used on the farm for heating and crop drying. Ash content and calorific energy of corn grain and six stover components were measured from standing plants during the grain maturing period, between mid-September and mid-November. Ash of stover in standing corn averaged 4.8% in a cool crop heat unit zone (2300–2500 crop heat units (CHU)) and 7.3% in a warmer zone (2900–3100 CHU). The corn cob had the lowest ash content (average of 2.2%) while leaves had the highest content (from 7.7% to 12.6%). In the fall, ash content of mowed and raked stover varied between 5.5% and 11.7%. In the following spring, ash content of stover mowed, raked and baled in May averaged 3.6%. The cob and stalk located below the first ear contained the highest calorific energy with 17.72 MJ·kg −1 . Leaves and grain had the lowest energy with an average of 16.99 MJ·kg −1 . The stover heat of combustion was estimated at 17.47 MJ·kg −1 in the cool zone and 17.26 MJ·kg −1 in the warm zone. Based on presented results, a partial “cob and husk” harvest system would collect less energy per unit area than total stover harvest (44 vs . 156 GJ·ha −1 ) and less biomass (2.51 vs . 9.13 t·dry matter (DM)·ha −1 ) but the fuel quality would be considerably higher with a low ash-to-energy ratio (1.45 vs . 4.27 g·MJ −1 ).
Facts Over Stories for Involved Publics: Framing Effects in CSR Messaging and the Roles of Issue Involvement, Message Elaboration, Affect, and Skepticism

This project investigated how issue involvement and positive affect are related to attitude and behavioral intention in the context of episodically and thematically framed corporate social responsibility (CSR) messages. We examined mediation effects of message elaboration on issue involvement and affect as well as moderation effects of dispositional skepticism on the relationships between affect, and attitude and behavioral intention. Results from two message-embedded surveys show that for the two types of messages used, issue involvement was positively correlated with positive affect and, consequently, with attitude and behavioral intention. However, for episodically framed messages, route-of-information processing mediated the relationship between issue involvement and affect. Dispositional skepticism moderated the relationship between positive affect and attitude toward the organization for these messages but did not affect behavioral intention. Overall, the findings suggest that prioritizing fact-based messaging over story-based messaging for involved publics could improve communication of the impact of CSR programs.
Visual War: A Content Analysis of Clinton and Trump Subreddits During the 2016 Campaign

U.S. political party genderization (Republicans as masculine; Democrats as feminine) is well-documented in research. To determine if Hillary Clinton may have disrupted these patterns as the first female major-party presidential nominee, Reddit posts during the 2016 election campaign were analyzed. Most studies focus on professional news or candidate self-presentations concocted by image handlers. We departed from this tradition, focusing on (a) gender qualities that Redditors assign to candidates on this platform and (b) statistical tracking of these patterns over time. The results provide insight into how the electorate presented the two candidates and Donald Trump’s largely unexpected victory.
Neural Network Model vs. SARIMA Model In Forecasting Korean Stock Price Index (KOSPI)

The purpose of this study is to compare the forecasting performance of a neural network (NN) model and a time-series (SARIMA) model in Korean Stock Exchange. In particular, we investigate whether the back-propagation neural network (BPNN)model outperforms the seasonal autoregressive integrated moving average (SARIMA) model in forecasting the Korea Composite Stock Price Index (KOSPI) and its return. Forecasting performance is ev1auated by the forecasting accuracy of each model.
Evolutionary improved object detector for ultrasound images

Object detection in ultrasound images is difficult problem mainly because of relatively low signal-to-noise ratio. This paper deals with object detection in the noisy ultrasound images using modified version of Viola-Jones object detector. The method describes detection of carotid artery longitudinal section in ultrasound B-mode images. The detector is primarily trained by AdaBoost algorithm and uses a cascade of Haar-like features as a classifier. The main contribution of this paper is a method for detection of carotid artery longitudinal section. This method creates cascade of classifiers automatically using genetic algorithms. We also created post-processing method that marks position of artery in the image. The proposed method was released as open-source software. Resulting detector achieved accuracy 96.29%. When compared to SVM classification enlarged with RANSAC (RANdom SAmple Consensus) method that was used for detection of carotid artery longitudinal section, works our method real-time.
Building an ontology of cardio-vascular diseases for concept-based information retrieval

Word-based information retrieval (IR) suffers from several drawbacks which the semantic Web initiative aims at overcoming through the use of ontologies. The European project Noesis (WWW.noesis-eu.org) is currently developing a concept-based approach to IR with cardio-vascular diseases as an application domain. For this purpose, an ontology of CV diseases had to be built. We present the process of its construction and its possible usages
Differential Detergent Extraction of Mycobacterium

1Department of Medical Microbiology and Infection Control, VU University Medical Center, van der Boechorststraat 7, 1081 BT Amsterdam, the Netherlands; 2Department of Molecular Microbiology, Institute of Molecular Cell Biology, VU University, de Boelelaan 1085, 1081 HV Amsterdam, the Netherlands; 3School of Engineering and Science, Jacobs University Bremen, Campus Ring 1, 28759 Bremen, Germany; 4Department of Medical Oncology, OncoProteomics Laboratory, VU University Medical Center, de Boelelaan 1117, 1081 HV Amsterdam, the Netherlands; 5Division of Cell Biology-B6, Netherlands Cancer Institute-Antoni van Leeuwenhoek Hospital (NKI-AVL), 1066 CX Amsterdam, the Netherlands
Does Sodium Nitroprusside Decrease the Incidence of Atrial Fibrillation After Myocardial Revascularization?: A Pilot Study

Background— Atrial fibrillation (AF) often occurs after coronary artery bypass grafting and can result in increased morbidity and mortality. In the present pilot study, our aim was to investigate whether sodium nitroprusside (SNP), as a nitric oxide donor, can reduce the frequency of post–coronary artery bypass grafting AF. Methods and Results— To investigate the effectiveness of SNP in the prophylaxis of AF, we conducted a prospective, randomized, placebo-controlled clinical study on 100 consecutive patients in whom we performed elective and initial CABG operations. A control group of 50 patients were treated with placebo (dextrose 5% in water), whereas the SNP group (n=50 patients) was treated with SNP (0.5 μg · kg−1 · min−1) during the rewarming period. High-sensitivity C-reactive protein levels were measured before surgery and 5 days postoperatively. All patients were monitored postoperatively with telemetry. Baseline characteristics were similar in both treatment groups. AF occurred in 12% of the SNP group and 27% of the control group. The occurrence of AF was significantly lower in the SNP group (P=0.005). The duration of AF in the SNP group was significantly shorter than that in the control group (5.33±1.86 and 7.55±1.94 hours, respectively; P=0.023). C-reactive protein levels were higher postoperatively in the control group than in the SNP group (P<0.05). Postoperative AF significantly prolonged postoperative hospital stay (P<0.05). Conclusions— The incidence of postoperative AF in the SNP group was reduced significantly. Further studies are needed to better delineate the anti-AF profile of SNP.