Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Identity Based Mutual Authentication of CE Devices

With the growing of the pay-TV market, the protection of this valued digital content appears to be a challenge to broadcasters and network operators. Therefore, conditional access is adopted by broadcasters and network operators to offer various pay services for video, audio and data transmitted via satellite or cable. Conditional access is commonly used in the field of digital television and it is based on set-top box and smart card technology with integrated circuits. Here the mutual authentication between smart card and set-top box is essential for secure communication to foil pirate attacks. So the smart card needs to be sure that it is inserted into a genuine broadcaster-controlled set-top box, while the set-top box should also be convinced that the smart card is genuine. The current solutions to achieve mutual authentication is either server based or heavy Public Key Infrastructure (PKI) based. Both of these solutions have significant drawbacks. Server based solution requires online connection with broadcaster-controlled server, so it brings problems in cost, unavailability or user friendly in certain cases. While PKI based solution, as an option to replace server based solution, improves and solves some problems of server based solution, but it needs the usage of digital certificate, which is costly and has difficult in revocation. Therefore a feasible, economic and secure solution, which may provide superiority in certain aspects over the current existing solutions, is desired. Our project proposes and investigates mutual authentication solutions that are using Identity based encryption (IBE), including Boneh/Franklin IBE scheme and Cocks IBE scheme. Then we perform feasibility study for the proposed solutions through prototype construction. Furthermore, the comparison of IBE based solution with other existing mutual authentication solutions is done according to the characteristics analysis. The feasibility study of IBE based solutions gives a result that a mutual authentication solution using Boneh/Franklin IBE scheme and the method of Random Number Concatenation gives the best performance of all proposed IBE based solutions to generate a 128 bits session key. When comparing with the other existing mutual authentication solutions, IBE based solution has advantages on offline mechanism and small communication size. IBE based solution is concluded to be a feasible, economic and secure solution that can be used as an option to replace server based solution or PKI based solution for mutual authentication of Consumer Electronic devices. Identity Based Mutual Authentication of CE Devices 2010
Cosmological lensing ratios with DES Y1, SPT, and Planck

Correlations between tracers of the matter density field and gravitational lensing are sensitive to the evolution of the matter power spectrum and the expansion rate across cosmic time. Appropriately defined ratios of such correlation functions, on the other hand, depend only on the angular diameter distances to the tracer objects and to the gravitational lensing source planes. Because of their simple cosmological dependence, such ratios can exploit available signal-to-noise ratio down to small angular scales, even where directly modelling the correlation functions is difficult. We present a measurement of lensing ratios using galaxy position and lensing data from the Dark Energy Survey, and CMB lensing data from the South Pole Telescope and Planck, obtaining the highest precision lensing ratio measurements to date. Relative to the concordance ΛCDM model, we find a best-fitting lensing ratio amplitude of A = 1.1 ± 0.1. We use the ratio measurements to generate cosmological constraints, focusing on the curvature parameter. We demonstrate that photometrically selected galaxies can be used to measure lensing ratios, and argue that future lensing ratio measurements with data from a combination of LSST and Stage-4 CMB experiments can be used to place interesting cosmological constraints, even after considering the systematic uncertainties associated with photometric redshift and galaxy shear estimation.
GENDER DIFFERENCES IN LANGUAGE LEARNING ANXIETY AMONG CIVIL ENGINEERING STUDENTS

The aim of this study was to investigate the differences of language learning anxiety with respect to the gender. 96 students of semester three from Civil Engineering Department, Politeknik Sultan Mizan Zainal Abidin were randomly selected for this study. The data was collected by using a 33 item questionnaire of Foreign Language Classroom Anxiety Scale (FLCAS). The results indicated that female students were more anxious than male students in terms of Fear of Negative Evaluation, slightly less anxious in terms of Communication Apprehension and had similar level in terms of Test Anxiety. However, the study revealed that there was no significant difference between language learning anxiety and gender as a whole.
Study of the reflection spectra of SAX J1748.9−2021

We report the spectral analysis of accretion powered millisecond X-ray pulsar SAX J1748.9-2021 from the NuSTAR observation made during its 2015 outburst. The spectra displayed a broad emission line at $\sim 6.5$ keV with line width of $\sim 0.5$ keV and excess above $\sim 20$ keV due to Compton hump. The persistent emission of SAX J1748.9-2021 is described by a combination of soft thermal component with $kT =0.62^{+0.03}_{-0.05}$ keV and thermally Comptonized component with $kT_e=2.50^{+0.06}_{-0.03}$ keV reflected from the disc with reflection fraction of $0.30^{+0.08}_{-0.04}$. We have modeled the reflection spectrum with self-consistent model relxillCP and have found the inclination of the accretion disc to be $32.3^{^\circ +4.8}_{-4.7}$ and log $\xi$ is equal to $3.05^{+0.40}_{-0.34}$. We have obtained an upper limit of 57 km for inner disc radius; and the estimated magnetic field strength at the poles is less than $3.4 \times 10^9$ G. This kind of detailed investigation of reflection spectrum of SAX J1748.9-2021, especially above 10 keV, has been achieved only because of high statistics NuSTAR data of the source.
New departures in tackling urban climate change: transdisciplinarity for social transformation (a critical appraisal of the WBGU’s 2011 report)

In 2011 the German Advisory Council for Global Change (WBGU) published a remarkable policy document entitled World in Transition: A Social Contract for Sustainability in which the authors proclaim the need for a great social transformation at the global scale in order to address climate change. This article builds on and critically discusses the central messages of the report that emphasizes the necessity to pro-actively shape the change of our values and worldviews that underpin our lifestyles and consumption patterns. By arguing for a transdisciplinary approach to implement this challenging vision the report identifies urbanization as a significant dimension in these processes thus shifting away from the dominant focus on socio-technical solutions. This puts the field of urban planning and development and related disciplines at the centre of the climate change adaptation and mitigation debate raising profound questions as to how these professionals, academics and practitioners could respond to the ideas brought forward in the report. The author considers this an opportunity for hitherto largely neglected integral approaches to gain more importance in mainstream urban planning practice and theory. The concluding part sketches out an initial research programme based on the previous discussion in order to illustrate at a more concrete level the implications of an integrative, transdisciplinary framework for planning.
Perspectives on Time

Time perspective is a preferential direction of an individual’s thoughts toward the past, present, or future, which exerts a dynamic influence on their experience, motivation, thinking, and several aspects of behavior. This chapter discusses the theoretical and conceptual bases of this construct, as well as existing approaches to measuring time perspective, such as the Zimbardo Time Perspective Inventory. Major research findings with regard to time perspective are considered, including its influence on educational achievement, risk taking, and negative reminiscence. Further attention is paid to the patterns of relationships between various time perspective types and several aspects of well-being, highlighting the limitations associated with allowing any one time perspective to dominate. The idea of a balanced time perspective is suggested as an alternative to any particular temporal bias. In an optimally balanced time perspective, the past, present, and future components engage flexibly, in response to individuals’ values and preferences, whilst taking into account a situation’s context and demands at the same time.
Mass budget of the glaciers and ice caps of the Queen Elizabeth Islands , Canada , from 1991 to 2015

Recent studies indicate that the glaciers and ice caps in Queen Elizabeth Islands (QEI), Canada have experienced an increase in ice mass loss during the last two decades, but the contribution of ice dynamics to this loss is not well known. We present a comprehensive mapping of ice velocity using a suite of satellite data from year 1991 to 2015, combined with ice thickness data from NASA Operation IceBridge, to calculate ice discharge. We find that ice discharge increased significantly after 2011 in Prince of Wales Icefield, maintained or decreased in other sectors, whereas glacier surges have little impact on long-term trends in ice discharge. During 1991–2005, the QEI mass loss averaged 6.3± 1.1 Gt yr, 52% from ice discharge and the rest from surface mass balance (SMB). During 2005–2014, the mass loss from ice discharge averaged 3.5± 0.2 Gt yr (10%) versus 29.6± 3.0 Gt yr (90%) from SMB. SMB processes therefore dominate the QEI mass balance, with ice dynamics playing a significant role only in a few basins.
Ecoinnovations in European countries

The goal of this paper is to present eco-innovation implementation in some European countries. Expected environmental law is very important for enforcing firm to minimise emission to air and water, diminish amount of hazardous substances and increase recycling. Cost reduction is another incentive for lower energy and material consumption, pointing to the significance of energy and materials prices, together with tax as ecoinnovation drivers. Customer wants are important basis for ecoinnovations, particularly with regard to green products and process innovations that improve material efficiency, reduce consumption of energy and waste creation. In the paper we present ecoinnovation examples from Poland and Denmark. Keywords—ecoinnovation; green economy; European countries;
Moderating Influence of Risk Management on the Relationship between Capacity Building and Performance of Entrepreneur-Empowerment Programme in Nairobi County, Kenya

Empowerment is one of the growing development concept and theoretical framework that is shaping socioeconomic policies and practices in modern economies. However, risks pose possibilities of losing benefits of empowerment programmes. But there exists limited knowledge on the role of risk management on the interaction between capacity building and performance of empowerment programmes, especially those related to entrepreneurship. The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between capacity building (provision of worksite, training) and performance of entrepreneur-empowerment programme and how such relationship is moderated by risk management in Nairobi County, Kenya. Theory of constraints and system theory of organization guided the study. Pragmatic paradigm was used to select a descriptive correlational survey design. The target population was 350 comprising of 327 entrepreneurs who had benefited from the entrepreneur-empowerment programme in Nairobi County and 23 programme managers. A sample of 186 composing of 174 entrepreneurs and 12 programme managers was selected using proportionate stratified random sampling method. While quantitative data was collected from the entrepreneurs using structured selfadministered questionnaire, qualitative data was collected from the programme managers using informant interview guide. The reliability (0.752) of the questionnaire was tested using Cronbach`s coefficient. Inferential statistics such as Pearson correlational coefficient and regressions analysis as well as descriptive statistics namely; percentages, standard deviation, mean and frequency were used to analyze the quantitative data. Qualitative data was analyzed through content analysis. Hypothesis was tested using F-test at a confidence level of 95%. The results revealed that risk management moderates the relationship between capacity building and performance of entrepreneur-empowerment programme. Thus, it was concluded that risk management is a critical consideration when building the capacities of entrepreneurs for optimum benefits. Hence the recommendation to the government to expand capacity building programmes through appropriate need-based programmes and appropriate risk management strategies so as to empower entrepreneurs into productive and competitive entrepreneurship.
Digital Literacy Circulation: Adolescents and Flows of Knowledge about New Media

Abstract : The aim of this paper is to discuss the output of an empirical research on digital skills in order to develop a typology of skills circulation among young digital users. Relying on research on digital literacy in media studies and on users in STS, in this article we start criticizing the concepts of “digital divide”, “digital inequalities” and “digital competencies”. Then, we present the principal results of a research study involving 50 adolescents in Italy about how they acquired their competences in the use of digital media. This gave us the opportunity to focus on the digital skills of young people and the development of their abilities in using digital media. The research outlines the patterns of circulation in digital competences among young people in relation to family, school and peer group, defining four kinds of “flows”: parental flow (involving fathers and mothers), peer flow (connected to friends and people of the same age), educational flow (referring to formal education) and technological flow (involving technological devices, such as computers, laptops, smartphones, tablets, etc.). The aim is to understand the interactions between digital skills and the social, institutional and technological conditions that influence the youth’s digital literacy for the everyday use of digital media. Keywords : new media; digital literacy; digital skills; digital inequalities; bricoleurs.
Using art to express visions of technologically-supported independent living for older people in north-east England

In this paper we describe our experience of investigating the development of future technological products to support older people in everyday living through the agency of a community art group. Recent research has identified a number of challenges facing designers seeking to use traditional participatory design approaches to gather technology requirements data from older people. We describe a project that sought to get a group of older people to think creatively about their needs and desires for technological support through the medium of paint. The artistic expression technique described in this article allowed us to identify issues that had also been found by previous research that used a range of different techniques. This indicates that the approach shows promise as it allows information to be gathered in an environment that is comfortable and familiar using methods already known by the participants and which they find enjoyable. It provides a complement (or possible alternative) to standard protocols and has the potential benefit of extracting even richer information as the primary task for participants is enjoyable in its own right and is not associated with an interrogative process. Furthermore, it is argued that some of the key risks of traditional approaches are lessened or removed by the naturalistic setting of this project.
Supplementary material for : QTLseqr : An R package for bulk segregant analysis with next-generation sequencing

QTLseqr utilizes a Nadaraya-Watson smoothing kernel to produce tricube-smoothed statistics for analysis (Nadaraya, 1964; Watson, 1964). These smoothed statistics function as a weighted moving average across neighboring SNPs that accounts for linkage disequilibrium (LD) while minimizing noise attributed to SNP calling errors (Magwene et al., 2011). In a tricube-weighted window SNPs that are close to the focal SNP have a high weighting value, while SNPs closer to the edge of the window have low weights. The tricube-smoothed values are predicted by constant local regression within each chromosome. The calculations are performed using the locfit function from the locfit package using a user defined window size and the degree of the polynomial set to zero. The tricube weighting value, kj , is calculated for all SNPs (j), within the window W .
PolyWordNet: Analogous to Human Mind for Word Sense Disambiguation

: PolyWordNet is a new lexical database which deals with the organization of senses of polysemy words. It mimics the way how human mind organizes the senses of polysemy words and their related words to analyze and determine correct meaning of a polysemy word in a context. A related word of a sense of a polysemy word is a word which provides necessary and sufficient context to disambiguate the meaning of the polysemy word. A context with a polysemy word must contain at least one related word that determines the correct sense of the polysemy word. The PolyWordNet utilizes this fact to organize the senses of a polysemy word with their corresponding related words. PolyWordNet is completely different than that of the dictionary and WordNet. The words which spell similar come together in dictionary. The words with similar meaning come together in WordNet. The same words, in WordNet, are connected to the multiple senses of the same polysemy word. This introduces an ambiguity. This ambiguity is resolved in PolyWordNet by linking one related word only with a single sense of the same polysemy word. The PolyWordNet can be used to disambiguate senses of polysemy words more precisely and more efficiently.
A deep X-ray view of the bare AGN Ark 120. III. X-ray timing analysis and multiwavelength variability

We present the spectral/timing properties of the bare Seyfert galaxy Ark 120 through a deep ~420ks XMM-Newton campaign plus recent NuSTAR observations and a ~6-month Swift monitoring campaign. We investigate the spectral decomposition through fractional rms, covariance and difference spectra, finding the mid- to long-timescale (~day-year) variability to be dominated by a relatively smooth, steep component, peaking in the soft X-ray band. Additionally, we find evidence for variable FeK emission red-ward of the FeK-alpha core on long timescales, consistent with previous findings. We detect a clearly-defined power spectrum which we model with a power law with a slope of alpha ~ 1.9. By extending the power spectrum to lower frequencies through the inclusion of Swift and RXTE data, we find tentative evidence of a high-frequency break, consistent with existing scaling relations. We also explore frequency-dependent Fourier time lags, detecting a negative ('soft') lag for the first time in this source with the 0.3-1 keV band lagging behind the 1-4 keV band with a time delay of ~900s. Finally, we analyze the variability in the optical and UV bands using the Optical/UV Monitor on-board XMM-Newton and the UVOT on-board Swift and search for time-dependent correlations between the optical/UV/X-ray bands. We find tentative evidence for the U-band emission lagging behind the X-rays with a time delay of 2.4 +/- 1.8 days, which we discuss in the context of disc reprocessing.
Large-Scale Distributed Bayesian Matrix Factorization using Stochastic Gradient MCMC

Despite having various attractive qualities such as high prediction accuracy and the ability to quantify uncertainty and avoid over-fitting, Bayesian Matrix Factorization has not been widely adopted because of the prohibitive cost of inference. In this paper, we propose a scalable distributed Bayesian matrix factorization algorithm using stochastic gradient MCMC. Our algorithm, based on Distributed Stochastic Gradient Langevin Dynamics, can not only match the prediction accuracy of standard MCMC methods like Gibbs sampling, but at the same time is as fast and simple as stochastic gradient descent. In our experiments, we show that our algorithm can achieve the same level of prediction accuracy as Gibbs sampling an order of magnitude faster. We also show that our method reduces the prediction error as fast as distributed stochastic gradient descent, achieving a 4.1% improvement in RMSE for the Netflix dataset and an 1.8% for the Yahoo music dataset.
Title The mutated subsequence problem and locating conservedgenes

Motivation: For the purpose of locating conserved genes in a whole genome scale, this paper proposes a new structural optimization problem called the Mutated Subsequence Problem, which gives consideration to possible mutations between two species (in the form of reversals and transpositions) when comparing the genomes. Results: A practical algorithm called mutated subsequence algorithm (MSS) is devised to solve this optimization problem, and it has been evaluated using different pairs of human and mouse chromosomes, and different pairs of virus genomes of Baculoviridae. MSS is found to be effective and efficient; in particular, MSS can reveal >90% of the conserved genes of human and mouse that have been reported in the literature. When compared with existing softwares MUMmer and MaxMinCluster, MSS uncovers 14 and 7% more genes on average, respectively. Furthermore, this paper shows a hybrid approach to integrate MUMmer or MaxMinCluster with MSS, which has better performance and reliability. Availability: http://www.cs.hku.hk/∼mss/ Contact: hlchan@cs.hku.hk
Capitalizing on Fear and Failure: For-Profit Colleges Selling Themselves to the Poor

This study explores the admissions encounter that prospective undergraduates experience at many for-profit colleges and universities (FPCUs). We consider how this encounter is shaped by intentional sales techniques and the implications of that approach for the college enrollment choices of low-SES and low-achieving students. Using the content of an admissions and recruitment staff training manual from a for-profit college with a publicly traded parent corporation and interviews from 47 students who went through the admissions and enrollment process at a for-profit college, we explore how recruiting practices are relevant to students’ college choice and to our rethinking of how college choice operates for students who are very similar to community college populations. Our data reveal for-profit admissions representatives, despite their good intentions, are incentivized to work as institutional agents in service of the institution’s profit motive at the expense of the student. FPCUs use admissions representatives to recruit prospective students by presenting the benefits of enrolling in a way that capitalizes on student anxieties, stress, and fear.
' s report Title : Post traumatic stress disorder and heart rate variability in Bihar flood survivors following yoga : a randomized controlled study Version : 3

I found this manuscript to be well-written and interesting. I think the topic is original and culturally relevant. The authors systematically studied the efficacy of an intervention that has not frequently studied before using a randomized controlled design. However, I noticed a few serious methodological problems, with respect to the design, the data-analysis, and the reporting of the results. Below, I will describe my comments to this manuscript, which I hope may be of use in further adaptations of the manuscript.