Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
A Survey on Web Tracking: Mechanisms, Implications, and Defenses

Privacy seems to be the Achilles’ heel of today’s web. Most web services make continuous efforts to track their users and to obtain as much personal information as they can from the things they search, the sites they visit, the people they contact, and the products they buy. This information is mostly used for commercial purposes, which go far beyond targeted advertising. Although many users are already aware of the privacy risks involved in the use of internet services, the particular methods and technologies used for tracking them are much less known. In this survey, we review the existing literature on the methods used by web services to track the users online as well as their purposes, implications, and possible user’s defenses. We present five main groups of methods used for user tracking, which are based on sessions, client storage, client cache, fingerprinting, and other approaches. A special focus is placed on mechanisms that use web caches, operational caches, and fingerprinting, as they are usually very rich in terms of using various creative methodologies. We also show how the users can be identified on the web and associated with their real names, e-mail addresses, phone numbers, or even street addresses. We show why tracking is being used and its possible implications for the users. For each of the tracking methods, we present possible defenses. Some of them are specific to a particular tracking approach, while others are more universal (block more than one threat). Finally, we present the future trends in user tracking and show that they can potentially pose significant threats to the users’ privacy.
Volumetric‐modulated arc therapy planning using multicriteria optimization for localized prostate cancer

The purpose of this work is to evaluate the volumetric‐modulated arc therapy (VMAT) multicriteria optimization (MCO) algorithm clinically available in the RayStation treatment planning system (TPS) and its ability to reduce treatment planning time while providing high dosimetric plan quality. Nine patients with localized prostate cancer who were previously treated with 78 Gy in 39 fractions using VMAT plans and rayArc system based on the direct machine parameter optimization (DMPO) algorithm were selected and replanned using the VMAT‐MCO system. First, the dosimetric quality of the plans was evaluated using multiple conformity metrics that account for target coverage and sparing of healthy tissue, used in our departmental clinical protocols. The conformity and homogeneity index, number of monitor units, and treatment planning time for both modalities were assessed. Next, the effects of the technical plan parameters, such as constraint leaf motion CLM (cm/°) and maximum arc delivery time T (s), on the accuracy of delivered dose were evaluated using quality assurance passing rates (QAs) measured using the Delta4 phantom from ScandiDos. For the dosimetric plan's quality analysis, the results show that the VMAT‐MCO system provides plans comparable to the rayArc system with no statistical difference for V95% (p<0.01), D1% (p<0.01), CI (p<0.01), and HI (p<0.01) of the PTV, bladder (p<0.01), and rectum (p<0.01) constraints, except for the femoral heads and healthy tissues, for which a dose reduction was observed using MCO compared with rayArc (p<0.01). The technical parameter study showed that a combination of CLM equal to 0.5 cm/degree and a maximum delivery time of 72 s allowed the accurate delivery of the VMAT‐MCO plan on the Elekta Versa HD linear accelerator. Planning evaluation and dosimetric measurements showed that VMAT‐MCO can be used clinically with the advantage of enhanced planning process efficiency by reducing the treatment planning time without impairing dosimetric quality. PACS numbers: 87.55. D, 87.55. de, 87.55. Qr
Metastable domains of the landscape

We argue that the vast majority of flux vacua with small cosmological constant are unstable to rapid decay to a big crunch. Exceptions are states with large compactification volume and supersymmetric and approximately supersymmetric states. Neither weak string coupling, warping, or the existence of very light particles are, by themselves, enough to render states reasonably metastable. We speculate, as well, about states which might be cosmological attractors.
Pervasive degeneracy and epistasis in a protein-protein interface

Exploring the limits of protein sequence space Exploring the variability of individual functional proteins is complicated by the vast number of combinations of possible amino acid sequences. Podgornaia and Laub take on this challenge by analyzing four amino acids critical for the interaction between two signaling proteins in Escherichia coli. They build all the possible 160,000 variants of one of the two proteins and find that over 1650 are functional. Even though there can be very high variability in the composition of the interface between the two proteins, there are nonetheless strong context-dependent constraints for some amino acids, which suggests why many functional variants are not seen in nature. Science, this issue p. 673 Four key residues in the Escherichia coli protein kinase PhoQ drive recognition of its substrate PhoP. Mapping protein sequence space is a difficult problem that necessitates the analysis of 20N combinations for sequences of length N. We systematically mapped the sequence space of four key residues in the Escherichia coli protein kinase PhoQ that drive recognition of its substrate PhoP. We generated a library containing all 160,000 variants of PhoQ at these positions and used a two-step selection coupled to next-generation sequencing to identify 1659 functional variants. Our results reveal extensive degeneracy in the PhoQ-PhoP interface and epistasis, with the effect of individual substitutions often highly dependent on context. Together, epistasis and the genetic code create a pattern of connectivity of functional variants in sequence space that likely constrains PhoQ evolution. Consequently, the diversity of PhoQ orthologs is substantially lower than that of functional PhoQ variants.
Chlorophyll Meter and Stalk Nitrate Techniques as Complementary Indices for Residual Nitrogen

Improved N management techniques are needed to prevent excess N applications while maintaining yields. Environmentally, development of these improved techniques has become critical for crops such as irrigated corn (Zea mays L.), which require large N fertilizer inputs to maximize yield. Our objective was to determine if some current N management techniques could be used to guide and improve future soil sampling strategies that would result in improved N fertilizer recommendations and reduced adverse environmental effects. Chlorophyll meter readings and end-of-season stalk nitrate-N concentrations were taken from an irrigated corn study at Shelton, NE, from 1992 through 1994. Residual soil N samples were collected to a depth of 5 ft after the 1992 and 1993 growing seasons. This study included continuous corn and soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr. ]- corn rotations with four corn hybrids and five N fertilizer rates. Chlorophyll meter readings taken at several growth stages reached a maximum at sufficient N levels for maximum yield and then plateaued. Similarly, end-of-season stalk nitrate-N concentrations exceeded established thresholds (-2000 ppm) above the N fertilizer rate where maximum yields were obtained in both cropping systems. Together, these techniques provided additional criteria to help partition and separate fields into areas with potentially different levels of residual soil N. This information can then be used to guide soil sampling and to develop or improve site specific N fertilizer recommendations which should decrease environmental risk by reducing the amount of nitrate-N available for leaching.
Response of human chondrocytes on polymer surfaces with different micropore sizes for tissue‐engineered cartilage

Response of chondrocytes on polymer surfaces is important for applications of tissue-engineered cartilage, and tissue engineering contains the interaction of cells on material surfaces. We examined the behavior of human chondrocytes cultured on polycarbonate (PC) membranes with different micropore sizes (0.2–8.0 μm in diameter). The adhesion and proliferation of chondrocytes were evaluated by measuring the number of attached cells after 1, 2, and 4 days of culture and morphological observations. It seems that the cell adhesion and proliferation were progressively inhibited, as the PC membranes had micropores with increasing size, probably due to surface discontinuities produced by track-etched pores. On the PC membrane with smaller micropore sizes, the cells seemed to override these surface discontinuities. Phenotype of chondrocyte was assessed by Safranin-O staining for anionic sulfated proteoglycans. Chondrocytes on the 8.0 μm-diameter membrane surface proliferated, on 8 days, formed morphology of round shape, and expressed proteoglycans, because of limitation of spreading by the track-etched micropores. They maintained their phenotype under conditions that support a round cell shape on the large pore diameter substrate, whereas chondrocyte phenotypes lost on the small pore diameter membranes. In conclusion, this study demonstrated that micropore sizes as well as pore-to-pore distance play an important role for adhesion, proliferation, and phenotype of human articular chondrocytes. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 92: 2784–2790, 2004
THE IMPACT OF SIMULATED HIGH-RESOLUTION SURFACE OBSERVATIONS FOR CONVECTIVE STORMS WITH ENSEMBLE KALMAN FILTER

Successful numerical weather prediction (NWP) depends greatly on accurate initial conditions obtained with data assimilation. For convective storms, radar is the primary observational platform. However, radars usually do not observe down to the ground surface, because of the non-zero elevation of the lowest scans. This problem becomes worse as the storm is far away from the radar because of the beam elevation and the earth curvature effect. For example, when a storm is 100 km away from the radar, the center of the 0.5° elevation beam of the WSR-88D radar is more 2 km above the ground. Even the lower edge of the half power beam does not reach ground. Yet, for convective systems, the low-level flows and cold pool are of critical importance for the storm development and evolution. At the ground surface, observations from automated meteorological stations and some times from mesoscale observational networks are available. Effective assimilation of these observations, in combination with the radar data, has the potential to significantly improve the storm analysis and forecast. * The assimilation of the surface observations into NWP models is not as easy as it might appear. One of the issues is with the often differing elevation of the surface observations and the model ground level. Complex terrains also make the spatial representativeness of the observations a complicated issue, which affects the proper spatial spreading of observation increments (Lazarus et al. 2002; Deng and Stull 2007). A more general issue is with the vertical spread of the observation information which in non-trivial because of the typically large spatial and temporal variations of the boundary layer structures. To optimally assimilate surface observations, flow dependent background error covariance is needed. The ensemble Kalman filter method (Evensen 2003) is a method that evolves flowdependent error covariance through assimilation cycles by using ensemble forecasts.
Incremental Cost Consensus(ICC) and leaderless ICC implementations in FREEDM

In a smart grid, the economic dispatch problem is an optimization problem whose objective is to reduce the total generation cost, subject to some constraints. The Incremental Cost Consensus (ICC) algorithm and Leaderless Incremental Cost Consensus (LICC) resolve the economic dispatch problem in a distributed fashion. Unlike prior work that implements ICC and LICC in simulation, in this paper, we implement ICC and LICC in a smart grid system: the Future Renewable Electric Energy Delivery and Management (FREEDM) system. In FREEDM, energy resources are managed through the Distributed Grid Intelligence (DGI), which provides coordinated control by applying distributed algorithm. Message complexity and total time of ICC and LICC in DGI are reported and shown to correspond to the simulation.
Large scale micropatterning of multi-walled carbon nanotube/polydimethylsiloxane nanocomposite polymer on highly flexible 12×24 inch substrates

We present the large scale micro-pattering of an electrically conducting multiwalled carbon nanotube (MWCNT) polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) nanocomposite polymer prepared by high frequency (42 kHz) ultrasonic agitation of MWCNTs in the PDMS polymer matrix. Large scale micropatterning of the MWCNT-PDMS nanocomposite is achieved via soft lithography employing a 12" × 24" poly-methyl methacrylate (PMMA, commercially known as Plexiglass) micromold. The process has a 20µm minimum feature size. The PMMA micromold is fabricated by laser ablating 5-mm thick, 12" × 24" sheets using the Universal Laser System's VersaLASER© laser cutter system which employs a CO2 laser. We have characterized and compared the resistivity of 1cm × 0.5cm × 0.5cm MWCNT-PDMS structures with varying weight percentage (wt-%) of MWCNT (1-10% wt%) in the PDMS matrix with a result that the percolation threshold is achieved at 2 wt-%. Furthermore, we have demonstrated the ability to fabricate large numbers of microelectrodes with a length of 3.0 cm, width of 500µm, and height of 400µm. The resistivity of these electrodes was found to be equal to 9. 93Ωm with a deviation of approximately 10%, indicating uniformity across large areas of the substrate. We have also demonstrated a large scale 12" × 24 hybrid microfabrication process for combining micromolded MWCNT-PDMS nanocomposite microstructures with nonconductive PDMS polymer.
Online Dereverberation for Dynamic Scenarios Using a Kalman Filter With an Autoregressive Model

Reverberant signals can be modeled in the short-time Fourier transform domain using a frequency-dependent autoregressive (AR) model. In state-of-the-art, these AR coefficients have been considered stationary, which does not hold in time-varying environments. We propose to model these AR coefficients using a first-order Markov process, whereas the reverberant microphone signal observations are considered deterministic. This leads to a framework where the AR coefficients can be optimally estimated using a Kalman filter per subband. As a consequence, we can dereverberate the observed signals by applying the estimated AR coefficients as an adaptive linear filter per subband. Estimators for the required statistical parameters in the Kalman filter are derived. Due to the adaptive solution, the algorithm is suitable for real-time applications. It is shown that the proposed method outperforms an existing recursive least-squares solution in terms of reverberation reduction, convergence time, and tracking changes in the acoustic scene.
A preliminary modelling study on the equine cervical spine with inverse kinematics at walk.

REASON FOR PERFORMING STUDY The motion of the atlanto-occipital, cervical vertebral and cervicothoracic joints play an important role in equestrian sports and they are also common sites for lesions limiting performance in horses. OBJECTIVES To calculate inverse kinematics based on cervical vertebral motion and to develop a model close to the measured neck movements. MATERIALS AND METHODS Measurements were recorded in 6 horses without neck pain. Reflective markers were placed on both cristae facialis, both sides of cervical vertebra 1, 3 and 6 on the withers and hooves. The neck model was reconstructed from CT scans of the osseus structures and was developed in SIMM (Software for Interactive Musculoskeletal Modelling). Inverse kinematics calculation was done in OpenSim. Three degrees of freedom: Flexion-extension (FE), axial rotation (AR) and lateral bending (LB) were considered. The simulated motion was generated from the recorded motion of the skin markers. The differences in angular range of motion (ROM) of the joints were analysed using paired sample t tests. RESULTS From the model, the smallest FE ROM was in the C5-C6 joint (2° ± 1°) and the largest was in the C3-C4 joint (11° ± 5°). The smallest AR ROM was in the C5-C6 joint (2° ± 1°) and largest AR ROM was in the atlantoaxial joint (7° ± 2°). The smallest LB ROM was in the C5-C6 joint (2° ± 1°) and the largest LB ROM was in the cervicothoracic joint (18° ± 5°). There were significant differences between the ROM of joints in 51 of 168 comparisons (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS The result of the motion of each joint gives an insight into the biomechanics of the equine neck. The small FE ROM at C5-C6 illustrates the pathogenetical relevance of the model for the development of osteoarthritis. The calculated data also provides a source for inverse dynamics.
Detection of Kingella kingae Osteoarticular Infections in Children by Oropharyngeal Swab PCR

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to investigate if oropharyngeal swab polymerase chain reaction (PCR) could predict osteoarticular infection (OAI) due to Kingella kingae in young children. METHODS: One hundred twenty-three consecutive children aged 6 to 48 months presenting with atraumatic osteoarticular complaints were prospectively studied. All had a clinical evaluation, imaging, and blood samples. Blood and oropharyngeal specimens were tested with a PCR assay specific for K kingae. OAI was defined as bone, joint, or blood detection of pathogenic bacteria, or MRI consistent with infection in the absence of positive microbiology. K kingae OAI was defined by blood, bone, or synovial fluid positivity for the organism by culture or PCR. RESULTS: Forty children met the OAI case definition; 30 had K kingae OAI, 1 had another organism, and 9 had no microbiologic diagnosis. All 30 oropharyngeal swabs from the K kingae case patients and 8 swabs from the 84 patients without OAI or with OAI caused by another organism were positive. The sensitivity and specificity of the oropharyngeal swab PCR assay for K kingae were 100% and 90.5%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Detection of K kingae DNA in oropharyngeal swabs of children with clinical findings of OAI is predictive of K kingae OAI. If these findings are replicated in other settings, detection of K kingae by oropharyngeal swab PCR could improve the recognition of OAI.
The Diagnostic Value of Cervical Lymph Node Metastasis in Head and Neck Squamous Carcinoma by Using Diffusion-Weighted Magnetic Resonance Imaging and Computed Tomography Perfusion

PURPOSE The aim of this study was to compare diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging (DWI) with computed tomography perfusion (CTP) for preoperative detection of metastases to lymph nodes (LNs) in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (SCC). METHODS Between May 2010 and April 2012, 30 patients with head and neck SCC underwent preoperative DWI and CTP. Two radiologists measured apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) values and CTP parameters independently. Surgery and histopathologic examinations were performed on all patients. RESULTS On DWI, 65 LNs were detected in 30 patients. The mean ADC value of metastatic nodes was lower than benign nodes and the difference was statistically significant (P < 0.05). On CTP images, the mean value in metastatic nodes of blood flow (BF) and blood volume (BV) was higher than that in benign nodes, and mean transit time (MTT) in metastatic nodes was lower than that in benign nodes. There were significant differences in BF and MTT values between metastatic and benign LNs (P < 0.05). There were significant differences between the AUCs of DWI and CTP (Z=4.612, P < 0.001). CONCLUSION DWI with ADC value measurements may be more accurate than CTP for the preoperative diagnosis of cervical LN metastases.
Changes in physical activity during a weight loss intervention and follow-up: a randomized controlled trial

Physical activity is an important component in weight loss treatment and weight maintenance. We evaluated the physical activity component of two weight loss programmes, either standard care (SC) as defined by national guidelines, or a commercial programme (CP; Weight Watchers) over the period of weight loss and follow‐up. 772 adults (mean body mass index: 31.4 ± 2.6 kg m−2) were recruited by primary care practices in Australia, the United Kingdom, and Germany, and randomly assigned to 12 months SC, or the CP. They were then followed up at 24 months. Change in physical activity levels were assessed by the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ)‐short form, and pedometer recordings. Both groups reported increases in physical activity using the IPAQ from baseline to 12 months and 24 months (within groups P < 0.0001) and in pedometer steps from baseline to 12 months only (within groups P < 0.0001). Differences between groups with both methods of assessment were not significant. There was a significant difference in weight loss between the groups at 12 months favouring the CP group; however, this statistical difference was not maintained at 24 months. In conclusion, despite similar increases in reported activity, there were significant differences in weight loss and regain between groups. Therefore, greater weight loss seen with the CP is unlikely to be due to increases in physical activity. Trends in pedometer steps mirrored changes in weight over time more closely than the IPAQ; however, both assessment tools have limitations. Better activity assessment measures are needed to more accurately gauge changes in physical activity during weight loss interventions.
Compressive Resistance of Unidirectional GFRP Under High Rate of Loading

In an attempt to determine composite strength at high strain rates, unidirectional glass/polyester and glass/epoxy composites have been tested using the Split Hopkinson Pressure Bar (SHPB) apparatus at room temperature. The tested materials of the polyester-based matrix are in the range of fiber volume fraction from 0.49 to 0.67, while the epoxy composites have the fiber volume fraction of 0.61. The influence of relevant parameters, namely strain rate varying from 1/10 000 s−1 to 1000 s−1, and fiber volume fraction on the composite failure strength are investigated. The influence of specimen size and ratio of length-to-diameter on the composite strength of some polyester composite specimens with different fiber volume fraction is also examined. For compressive load acting along the fiber direction, the failure mechanism is mainly a transverse tensile failure.