Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Verification of temporal-epistemic properties of access control systems

Verification of access control systems against vulnerabilities has always been a challenging problem in the world of computer security. The complication of security policies in large- scale multi-agent systems increases the possible existence of vulnerabilities as a result of mistakes in policy definition. This thesis explores automated methods in order to verify temporal and epistemic properties of access control systems. While temporal property verification can reveal a considerable number of security holes, verification of epistemic properties in multi-agent systems enable us to infer about agents' knowledge in the system and hence, to detect unauthorized information flow. This thesis first presents a framework for knowledge-based verification of dynamic access control policies. This framework models a coalition-based system, which evaluates if a property or a goal can be achieved by a coalition of agents restricted by a set of permissions defined in the policy. Knowledge is restricted to the information that agents can acquire by reading system information in order to increase time and memory efficiency. The framework has its own model-checking method and is implemented in Java and released as an open source tool named \(\char{cmmi10}{0x50}\)\(\char{cmmi10}{0x6f}\)\(\char{cmmi10}{0x6c}\)\(\char{cmmi10}{0x69}\)\(\char{cmmi10}{0x56}\)\(\char{cmmi10}{0x65}\)\(\char{cmmi10}{0x72}\). In order to detect information leakage as a result of reasoning, the second part of this thesis presents a complimentary technique that evaluates access control policies over temporal-epistemic properties where the knowledge is gained by reasoning. We will demonstrate several case studies for a subset of properties that deal with reasoning about knowledge. To increase the efficiency, we develop an automated abstraction refinement technique for evaluating temporal-epistemic properties. For the last part of the thesis, we develop a sound and complete algorithm in order to identify information leakage in Datalog-based trust management systems.
Finite-Element Electromagnetic Simulation of a Volume Resonator Coil for MR Neuroimaging

The electromagnetic properties of a new volume resonator coil for MR neuroimaging are studied. This coil design is based on a resonator coil called PERES coil. A commercial software tool based on the finite-element method is used to compute the electric and magnetic fields for the quasi-static regime for a specific layout of two coils with 4 rectangular-shaped coils each. Computational experiments were done to calculate the optimal number of nodes and elements in the mesh. This commercial software tool allows us to clearly visualize the electromagnetic properties of the coil as a function of a particular configuration
Correlation between expression of cyclooxygenase-2 and the presence of inflammatory cells in human primary hepatocellular carcinoma: possible role in tumor promotion and angiogenesis.

AIM To investigate the association of cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) expression with angiogenesis and the number and type of inflammatory cells (macrophages/Kupffer cells; mast cells) within primary hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) tissues and adjacent non-tumorous (NT) tissues. METHODS Immunohistochemistry for COX-2, CD34, CD68 and mast cell tryptase (MC(T)) was performed on 14 well-characterized series of liver-cirrhosis-associated HCC patients. COX-2 expression and the number of inflammatory cells in tumor lesions and surrounding liver tissues of each specimen were compared. Moreover, COX-2, CD34 staining and the number of inflammatory cells in areas with different histological degrees within each tumor sample were comparatively analyzed. RESULTS The percentage of COX-2 positive cells was significantly higher in NT tissues than in tumors. COX-2 expression was higher in well-differentiated HCC than in poorly-differentiated tissues. Few mast cells were observed within the tumor mass, whereas a higher number was observed in the surrounding tissue, especially in peri-portal spaces of NT tissues. Abundant macrophages/Kupffer cells were observed in NT tissues, whereas the number of cells was significantly lower in the tumor mass. However, a higher cell number was observed in the well-differentiated tumor and progressively decreased in relation to the differentiation grade. Within the tumor, a positive correlation was found between COX-2 expression and the number of macrophages/Kupffer cells and mast cells. Moreover, there was a positive correlation between CD34 and COX-2 expression in tumor tissues. Comparison between well- and poorly-differentiated HCC showed that the number of CD34-positive cells decreased with dedifferentiation. However, COX-2 was the only independent variable showing a positive correlation with CD34 in a multivariate analysis. CONCLUSION The presence of inflammatory cells and COX-2 expression in liver tumor suggests a possible relationship with tumor angiogenesis. COX-2 expressing cells and the number of macrophages/Kupffer cells and mast cells decrease with progression of the disease.
Succession Planning in SMEs

This study reports the results from a survey of 368 family-owned small to medium size enterprises (SMEs) with regard to the importance, nature, and extent of succession planning. By categorizing SMEs according to their annual revenues, total number of employees, and number of family members employed within the firm, significant differences were found between larger and smaller firms. Consistent with extant literature, the findings reveal that most family members join the firm for altruistic reasons. Issues related to family relationships were rated as significantly more important in firms in which more family members were employed within the firm. Moreover, for firms with less than US$1m in revenues, a high priority is placed on selecting a successor who possesses strong sales and marketing skills. The findings show that regardless of their size, it is important for family-owned businesses to develop a formal plan for succession, communicate the identity of the successor, and provide training/mentoring to the incumbent CEO.
Effects of gamma interferon, tumor necrosis factor alpha, and interleukin-2 on infection and proliferation of Theileria parva-infected bovine lymphoblasts and production of interferon by parasitized cells

Theileria parva is a protozoan parasite that infects bovine B cells and alpha beta and gamma delta T cells and transforms them into continually proliferating cells. CD4+ T. parva-antigen-specific immune T cells have been shown to produce cytokines in response to stimulation with parasitized cells, and T. parva-infected lymphocytes produce and consume T-cell growth factors and interleukin-2 (IL-2). To ascertain the role of T-cell cytokines on T. parva infections, we evaluated recombinant gamma interferon (rIFN-gamma), rIL-2, and tumor necrosis factor alpha (rTNF-alpha) for their effects on establishment, proliferation, and survival of parasitized cells. The results indicate that neither rIFN-gamma nor rTNF-alpha had an enhancing or inhibitory effect on the growth of established T. parva-infected T-cell clones, whereas bovine rIL-2 increased the proliferation of infected B-cell and alpha beta T-cell clones but not that of gamma delta T-cell clones. To evaluate the effects of the cytokines on establishment of parasitized cell lines, peripheral blood mononuclear cells were cultured in their presence immediately following infection with T. parva sporozoites. Neither rIFN-gamma nor rIL-2 altered the proportion of cells initially developing schizonts, but both enhanced establishment of infected cell lines by about twofold. In contrast, rTNF-alpha resulted in about a 33% decrease in the proportion of schizont-infected cells. Inhibitory effects on establishment of parasitized cell lines by rTNF-alpha were no longer apparent by 12 days following infection. Tests conducted during this study indicated that T. parva-infected lymphocytes also spontaneously produce IFN that is neutralized by acidic pH treatment. In conclusion, we speculate that none of these T-cell cytokines are likely to have a profound inhibitory effect in vivo on T. parva infections. Instead, IFN-gamma and IL-2 may facilitate the establishment of infection by T. parva.
Athletic Trainer Services in US Private Secondary Schools.

CONTEXT Availability of athletic trainer (AT) services in US secondary schools has recently been reported to be as high as 70%, but this only describes the public sector. The extent of AT coverage in private secondary school settings has yet to be investigated and may differ from the public secondary school setting for several reasons, including differences in funding sources. OBJECTIVE To determine the level of AT services in US private secondary schools and identify the reasons why some schools did not employ ATs. DESIGN Concurrent mixed-methods study. SETTING Private secondary schools in the United States. PATIENTS OR OTHER PARTICIPANTS Of 5414 private secondary schools, 2044 (38%) responded to the survey. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S) School administrators responded to the survey via telephone or e-mail. This instrument was previously used in a study examining AT services among public secondary schools. Descriptive statistics provided national data. Open-ended questions were evaluated through content analysis. RESULTS Of the 2044 schools that responded, 58% (1176/2044) offered AT services, including 28% (574/2040) full time, 25% (501/2042) part time, 4% (78/1918) per diem, and 20% (409/2042) from a hospital or clinic. A total of 84% (281 285/336 165) of athletes had access to AT services. Larger private secondary schools were more likely to have AT services available. Barriers to providing AT services in the private sector were budgetary constraints, school size and sports, and lack of awareness of the role of an AT. CONCLUSIONS More than half of the surveyed private secondary schools in the United States had AT services available; however, only 28% had a full-time AT. This demonstrates the need for increased medical coverage to provide athletes in this setting the appropriate level of care. Budgetary concerns, size of the school and sport offerings, and lack of awareness of the role of the AT continued to be barriers in the secondary school setting.
[Natural infection of Ptychophallus tristani (Crustacea: Decapoda) by metacercariae of Paragonimus mexicanus (Trematoda) in Tabarcia de Mora, Costa Rica].

The degree of infection with Paragonimus mexicanus of the crustacean Ptychophallus tristani was determined in an endemic area of paragonimiasis. Metacercariae were found in 161 (88.5%) out of 182 crabs. Comparing the infection in male or female crustacea, we did not observe any significant differences between both sexes. Size of the intermediate host was an important factor, since the infection was higher (94.4%) in bigger crabs; furthermore, the number of metacercariae was 2.1 ± 1.1 in smaller animals, while in big ones that number was 9.0±6.3 (P < 0.01). The infection of the crabs was season independent which indicates that infection sources are present through the year.
The TCR ADAPts to integrin‐mediated cell adhesion

Summary: Adapter proteins regulate leukocyte signal transduction through recruitment of effector molecules to multiprotein complexes. Recent studies in Adhesion and Degranulation promoting Adapter Protein (ADAP)‐deficient mice have established that the cytoplasmic phosphoprotein ADAP is required for optimal, mature T‐cell proliferation. Furthermore, ADAP plays a key role in T‐cell antigen receptor (TCR)‐mediated ‘inside out’ signaling leading to integrin activation and to enhanced cellular adhesion to integrin ligands. ADAP associates physically with molecules known to play roles in the regulation of TCR‐stimulated actin polymerization. These associations support the hypothesis that ADAP functions in actin cytoskeletal reorganization leading to cellular adhesion and activation.
Bayesian Speaker Verification with Heavy-Tailed Priors

We describe a new approach to speaker verification which, like Joint Factor Analysis, is based on a generative model of speaker and channel effects but differs from Joint Factor Analysis in several respects. Firstly, each utterance is represented by a low dimensional feature vector, rather than by a high dimensional set of Baum-Welch statistics. Secondly, heavy-tailed distributions are used in place of Gaussian distributions in formulating the model, so that the effect of outlying data is diminished, both in training the model and at recognition time. Thirdly, the likelihood ratio used for making verification decisions is calculated (using variational Bayes) in a way which is fully consistent with the modeling assumptions and the rules of probability. Finally, experimental results show that, in the case of telephone speech, these likelihood ratios do not need to be normalized in order to set a trial-independent threshold for verification decisions. We report results on female speakers for several conditions in the NIST 2008 speaker recognition evaluation data, including microphone as well as telephone speech. As measured both by equal error rates and the minimum values of the NIST detection cost function, the results on telephone speech are about 30% better than we have achieved using Joint Factor Analysis.
Disruptive innovations in complex product systems industries: A case study

We propose that disruptive changes pertaining to complex product systems (CoPS) will yield a different set of characteristics than those traditionally observed for commodity products, and seek evidence for this proposition in a case study of the Flash Converting technology, a disruptive CoPS innovation in the copper production industry. Our results show that unlike disruptions in commodity product industries, the incumbent CoPS technology does not overshoot mainstream market performance demand. Also, the disruptive CoPS innovation: (i) is not nurtured in low-end niche markets; (ii) initially satisfies mainstream market performance demand, and; (iii) has higher unit price than the incumbent technology.
Corporate governance in banking : a global perspective

Contents:1. Corporate Governance, Bank Regulation and Activity Expansion in the United StatesBernard Shull2. Corporate Governance in Banks: Does the Board Structure Matter? Benton E. Gup3. Corporate Governance and Bank PerformanceKenneth Spong and Richard J. Sullivan4. Corporate Governance at Community Banks: One Size Does Not Fit AllRobert DeYoung5. Bank Mergers and Insider TradingTareque Nasser and Benton E. Gup6. Conflicts of Interest and Corporate Governance Failures at Universal Banks During the Stock Market Boom of the 1990s: The Cases of Enron and WorldComArthur E. Wilmarth, Jr.7. Basel II: Operational Risk and Corporate CultureBenton E. Gup8. A Cross-country Analysis of Bank Performance: The Role of External GovernanceJames R. Barth, Mark Bertus, Jaing Hai, Valentina Hartarska, Triphon Phumiwasana9. A Survey of Corporate Governance in Banking: Characteristics of the Top 100 World BanksRowan Trayler10. Corporate Governance: The Case of Australian BanksMohamed Ariff and Mohammad Z. Hoque11. Germany's Three-pillar Banking System from a Corporate Governance PerspectiveHorst Gischer, Peter Reichling and Mike Stiele12. Cases of Corporate (Mis)governance in the Hungarian Banking SectorJulia Kiraly, Katalin Mer? and Janos SzazIndex
The Role of Gamont Entry into Erythrocytes in the Specificity of Hepatozoon Species (Apicomplexa: Adeleida) for Their Frog Hosts

Abstract: Hepatozoon species are apicomplexan parasites that infect blood cells and viscera of terrestrial vertebrates. One species, Hepatozoon clamatae, primarily infects green frogs, Rana clamitans, whereas another, Hepatozoon catesbianae, primarily infects bullfrogs, Rana catesbeiana, although both species of parasite are capable of infecting either species of frog. The aim of this study was to determine whether the basis for this partial host specificity is manifested at the gamont, or intraerythrocytic, stage of the parasite's life cycle. Blood was drawn from infected frogs and treated in vitro with a saline solution to induce intracellular gamonts to emerge from host erythrocytes. This treated blood was added to in vitro samples of uninfected blood of green frogs and bullfrogs. After 1 hr, samples were analyzed to determine the level of re-entry of the parasites into uninfected erythrocytes. Results obtained using multiple combinations of donor and recipient frogs indicate that extracellular gamonts of both parasite species do not exhibit preference for erythrocytes of 1 frog species over those of another. These results suggest that the basis for the observed host specificity is not determined at the gamont stage and is more likely dependent on another stage in the parasite life cycle.
Delay tolerant networking with data triage method based on emergent user policies for disaster information network system

When Disaster Information Network System is considered in local areas that were heavy damaged by the East Japan Great Earthquake in 2011, the resiliency of the network system is one of significant subjects for the restoration of the areas. DTN (Delay Tolerant Network) has been focused for the effective methods for such inoperable network circumstances. However, when DTN is applied for the local areas, there are some problems such as message delivery rate and latency because there are fewer roads, cars, and pedestrians than in urban areas. In this paper, we propose the Enhanced Media Coordinate System for its architecture, and Data Triage method by emergent user policies is introduced to improve the QoS in Disaster Information Network System in local areas. In the proposed method, every message is tagged with the priority levels by data types with considering emergent user policies, and the high priority messages are firstly duplicated to transmittable nodes. Then, the experimental results by the GIS map of a Japanese coastal town and the future studies are discussed.
Usability and University Library Web Site

In higher education, libraries help support their communities by acquiring, organizing, and providing information resources and services. Since high-technology evolves, a web site is also another approach many libraries use as a way to make their information resources and services available anytime anyplace as close as a click of the mouse (Norlin and Winters 2002: 1). However, with the same one click, if a created web site is not usable, will its owner still gain the expectable benefits from it? The answer tends to be, “No! ” as “On the Internet, the competition is always just one click away, so if you frustrate users they’ll head somewhere else” (Krug 2000: 18).
From Minority Games to real markets

We address the question of market efficiency using the Minority Game (MG) model. First we show that removing unrealistic features of the MG leads to models which reproduce a scaling behaviour close to what is observed in real markets. In particular we find that (i) fat tails and clustered volatility arise at the phase transition point and that (ii) the crossover to random walk behaviour of prices is a finite-size effect. This, on one hand, suggests that markets operate close to criticality, where the market is marginally efficient. On the other it allows one to measure the distance from criticality of real markets, using cross-over times. The artificial market described by the MG is then studied as an ecosystem with different species of traders. This clarifies the nature of the interaction and the particular role played by the various populations.
Healthcare use and expenditure for diabetes in Bangladesh

Background Diabetes imposes a huge social and economic impact on nations. However, information on the costs of treating and managing diabetes in developing countries is limited. The aim of this study was to estimate healthcare use and expenditure for diabetes in Bangladesh. Methods We conducted a matched case–control study between January and July 2014 among 591 adults with diagnosed diabetes mellitus (DMs) and 591 age-matched, sex-matched and residence-matched persons without diabetes mellitus (non-DMs). We recruited DMs from consecutive patients and non-DMs from accompanying persons in the Bangladesh Institute of Health Science (BIHS) hospital in Dhaka, Bangladesh. We estimated the impact of diabetes on healthcare use and expenditure by calculating ratios and differences between DMs and non-DMs for all expenses related to healthcare use and tested for statistical difference using Student's t-tests. Results DMs had two times more days of inpatient treatment, 1.3 times more outpatient visits, and 9.7 times more medications than non-DMs (all p<0.005). The total annual per capita expenditure on medical care was 6.1 times higher for DMs than non-DMs (US$635 vs US$104, respectively). Among DMs, 9.8% reported not taking any antidiabetic medications, 46.4% took metformin, 38.7% sulfonylurea, 40.8% insulin, 38.7% any antihypertensive medication, and 14.2% took anti-lipids over the preceding 3 months. Conclusions Diabetes significantly increases healthcare use and expenditure and is likely to impose a huge economic burden on the healthcare systems in Bangladesh. The study highlights the importance of prevention and optimum management of diabetes in Bangladesh and other developing countries, to gain a strong economic incentive through implementing multisectoral approach and cost-effective prevention strategies.
The Triglyceride-to-HDL Cholesterol Ratio Association with insulin resistance in obese youths of different ethnic background

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS—Obese youths (1,452) had an oral glucose tolerance test and a fasting lipid profile. Insulin sensitivity was estimated using the whole body insulin sensitivity index (WBISI) and homeostasis model assessment (HOMA)-IR and evaluated, in a subgroup of 146 obese youths, by the hyperinsulinemic-euglycemic clamp. The cohort was divided by ethnicity (612 whites, 357 Hispanics, and 483 African Americans) and then stratified into ethnicity-specific tertiles of TG/HDL-C ratio. Differences across tertiles were evaluated, and the association between the TG/HDL-C ratio and insulin sensitivity (WBISI) was defined by a multiple stepwise linear regression analysis. The area under the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve (AUC) was determined to calculate the TG/HDL-C ratio cutoff to identify insulinresistant subjects by ethnicity.
Carbon sources for D-lactate formation in rat liver.

Carbon sources for D-lactate formation were investigated in vitro using 6,000 x g supernatant of rat liver homogenate and by rat liver perfusion in situ. As carbon sources, L-threonine, glucose, glycerol, acetone, and acetoacetate were tested. Glycerol was the best substrate for D-lactate formation via methylglyoxal in rat liver. Glucose was the second most preferred substrate, while L-threonine, acetone, and acetoacetate were poor substrates for D-lactate formation. Glycerol was several times more effective than normal as a substrate of D-lactate in the supernatants of liver homogenates of diabetic and starved rats, while it was less effective as a substrate of L-lactate. The glycerol kinase [EC 2.7. 1.30] activities in livers increased in the diabetic and starved states. These and other results can explain why the plasma concentration of D-lactate increases several-fold after running and why the D-lactate contents in plasma, liver, and skeletal muscle are markedly increases in diabetic and starved rats.
MOST PREVALENT ENDOPARASITIC INFESTATION IN DOMESTIC RUMINANTS AND THEIR MANAGEMENT IN FIELD CONDITION IN INDIAN SCENARIO : A REVIEW

Most of the Indian breeds of domestic ruminants are well adapted to the harsh environment, low nutrition, tropical disease. Animal welfare and productivity are affected by endoparasite infestation. Parasites cause economic losses through decreased production, cost of prophylaxis and treatment, and death of infected animals. The proper management of internal parasites is extremely important for successful livestock farming especially in the grazing conditions.