Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Family Digital Literacy Practices and Children’s Mobile Phone Use

Smart phones are ubiquitous in everyday life and are having a major impact on work, education, social relationships and modes of communication. Children are the fastest growing population of smart phone users, with use often focusing around internet access, e.g., 1 in 3 internet users in the UK are under 18 years of age. Despite their widespread use, relatively little is known about the factors that underpin children’s use. The home is a significant ecological context of development and recent research has highlighted the importance of the home environment in promoting and supporting the development of both safe and unsafe online behavior. Yet the importance of these influences currently remains relatively unrecognized. Therefore, in this paper we present a narrative review of evidence examining parental practices concerning digital communication technologies and applications, with a particular focus on smartphones, and how they relate to the use of technology by their children. Emerging evidence to date indicates that two important factors are at play. Firstly, parental technology use is closely related to that of their child. Secondly, that despite parents frequently voiced concerns about the nature and extent of their child’s mobile phone use, parents themselves often engage in a number of unsafe internet behaviors and excessive phone use in the home environment. Our review identifies two crucial lines of enquiry that have yet to be comprehensively pursued by researchers in the field: firstly, the adoption of a psychological perspective on children’s emergent behaviors with mobile devices and secondly, the influential role of context. Given parental concerns about the possible negative impact of technologies, parental awareness should be raised about the influence of their behavior in the context of internet safety along with the adoption of good digital literacy practices. It is anticipated that a comprehensive characterization of the associated contextual factors influencing smartphone use will serve as a catalyst for debate, discussion, and future research.
Multiple Single-Unit Long-Term Tracking on Organotypic Hippocampal Slices Using High-Density Microelectrode Arrays

A novel system to cultivate and record from organotypic brain slices directly on high-density microelectrode arrays (HD-MEA) was developed. This system allows for continuous recording of electrical activity of specific individual neurons at high spatial resolution while monitoring at the same time, neuronal network activity. For the first time, the electrical activity patterns of single neurons and the corresponding neuronal network in an organotypic hippocampal slice culture were studied during several consecutive weeks at daily intervals. An unsupervised iterative spike-sorting algorithm, based on PCA and k-means clustering, was developed to assign the activities to the single units. Spike-triggered average extracellular waveforms of an action potential recorded across neighboring electrodes, termed “footprints” of single-units were generated and tracked over weeks. The developed system offers the potential to study chronic impacts of drugs or genetic modifications on individual neurons in slice preparations over extended times.
Secure and anonymous TTP-based Electronic Payment Systems and making anonymity and security via multi-user interfaces and passwords

Nowadays, Electronic Payment Systems are inseparable part of digitally communication systems. One of the crucial challenges of Electronic Payment System makers is making security and anonymity. Digital information while transferring through the network or in storage systems and servers can easily be copied. Moreover, electronic money which is a good simulation of cash money should have the most characteristic of it, that is, payer's anonymity. Controlled anonymity provides a balance between the protection of privacy and the security against anonymity misuse. A new system for revocable anonymous is therefore designed in this paper. This system presents solution to confront with attacks like blackmailing and double spending by MultiInterfaces and Passwords.
Mining Concept-Drifting and Noisy Data Streams Using Ensemble Classifiers

Mining concept drifting data stream is a challenging area for data mining research. Recent years have witnessed an averaging ensemble classifier which is based on the learnable assumption, although this ensemble classifier is an efficient algorithm for mining concept-drifting data streams, it is still inadequate to represent real-world data streams with noisy data. In this paper, we propose a novel ensemble classifier framework for mining concept-drifting data streams with noise. The method, called WEAP-I, which trains a weighted ensemble classifier on the most n data chunks and trains an averaging ensemble classifier on the most recent data chunk. All the base classifiers are combined to form the WEAP-I ensemble classifier. Our theoretical and empirical study shows that our framework is superior and more robust to averaging ensemble for noisy data streams.
Bactericidal Effect of Solar Water Disinfection under Real Sunlight Conditions

ABSTRACT Batch solar disinfection (SODIS) inactivation kinetics are reported for suspensions in water of Campylobacter jejuni, Yersinia enterocolitica, enteropathogenic Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus epidermidis, and endospores of Bacillus subtilis, exposed to strong natural sunlight in Spain and Bolivia. The exposure time required for complete inactivation (at least 4-log-unit reduction and below the limit of detection, 17 CFU/ml) under conditions of strong natural sunlight (maximum global irradiance, ∼1,050 W m−2 ± 10 W m−2) was as follows: C. jejuni, 20 min; S. epidermidis, 45 min; enteropathogenic E. coli, 90 min; Y. enterocolitica, 150 min. Following incomplete inactivation of B. subtilis endospores after the first day, reexposure of these samples on the following day found that 4% (standard error, 3%) of the endospores remained viable after a cumulative exposure time of 16 h of strong natural sunlight. SODIS is shown to be effective against the vegetative cells of a number of emerging waterborne pathogens; however, bacterial species which are spore forming may survive this intervention process.
Fund Flows and Commercial Real Estate Investment: Evidence from The Commercial Mortgage Market

This paper addresses the issue of the impact of fund flows on real investment. In the classical world, fund flows affect investment by changing the cost of funds or through the weighted average cost of capital. In a less perfect world, fund flows can directly alter investment though a rationing mechanism, where even presumably profitable investment is choked off. This paper examines the commercial mortgage market over the last quarter century. The findings indicate an effect of constrained flows on investment in the early 1990s, but an independent impact of higher flows to the commercial mortgage market in the middle 1980s is not found.
Development of micromanipulator and haptic interface for networked micromanipulation

Telemicromanipulation systems with haptic feedback, which are connected through a network, are proposed. It is based on scaled bilateral teleoperation systems between different structures. These systems are composed of an original 6 degree of freedom (DOF) parallel link manipulator to carry out micromanipulation and a 6-DOF haptic interface with force feedback. A parallel mechanism is adopted as a slave micromanipulator because of its good features of accuracy and stiffness. The system modeling and control of the parallel manipulator system are conducted. Parallel manipulator feasibility as a micromanipulator, positioning accuracy and device control characteristics are investigated. A haptic master interface is developed for micromanipulation systems. System modeling and a model reference adaptive controller are applied to compensate friction force, which spoils free motion performance and force response isotropy of the haptic interface. These systems aim to make the micromanipulation more productive constructing a better human interface through the microenvironment force and scale expansion.
Innovation, Cities, and New Work

Where does adaptation to innovation take place? The supply of educated workers and local industry structure matter for the subsequent location of new work–that is, new types of labor-market activities that closely follow innovation. Using census 2000 microdata, the author shows that regions with more college graduates and a more diverse industrial base in 1990 are more likely to attract these new activities. Across metropolitan areas, initial college share and industrial diversity account for 50% and 20%, respectively, of the variation in selection into new work unexplained by worker characteristics. He uses a novel measure of innovation output based on new activities identified in decennial revisions to the U.S. occupation classification system. New work follows innovation, but unlike patents, it also represents subsequent adaptations by production and labor to new technologies. Further, workers in new activities are more skilled, consistent with skill-biased technical change.
A Consideration of Channel Capacity of Near-field MIMO using Parasitic Elements

The conventional MIMO systems have a capability of enhancing channel capacity by exploiting multipath environment [1]. Recently, a novel scheme which utilizes MIMO system in near-field region has proposed [2]. In the near-field MIMO system, channel capacity is able to be improved without a multipath, because spherical wave is considered as a superposition of plane waves. It is expected that the near-field MIMO system enables us to realize high-speed short-range wireless communications. We have proposed a novel structure to improve channel capacity using side reflector and back reflector [3]. In this report, we propose a new structure to improve channel capacity using parasitic elements for near-field MIMO.
Autoinduction in Erwinia amylovora: Evidence of an Acyl-Homoserine Lactone Signal in the Fire Blight Pathogen

ABSTRACT Erwinia amylovora causes fire blight disease of apple, pear, and other members of the Rosaceae. Here we present the first evidence for autoinduction in E. amylovora and a role for an N-acyl-homoserine lactone (AHL)-type signal. Two major plant virulence traits, production of extracellular polysaccharides (amylovoran and levan) and tolerance to free oxygen radicals, were controlled in a bacterial-cell-density-dependent manner. Two standard autoinducer biosensors, Agrobacterium tumefaciens NTL4 and Vibrio harveyi BB886, detected AHL in stationary-phase cultures of E. amylovora. A putative AHL synthase gene, eamI, was partially sequenced, which revealed homology with autoinducer genes from other bacterial pathogens (e.g., carI, esaI, expI, hsII, yenI, and luxI). E. amylovora was also found to carry eamR, a convergently transcribed gene with homology to luxR AHL activator genes in pathogens such as Erwinia carotovora. Heterologous expression of the Bacillus sp. strain A24 acyl-homoserine lactonase gene aiiA in E. amylovora abolished induction of AHL biosensors, impaired extracellular polysaccharide production and tolerance to hydrogen peroxide, and reduced virulence on apple leaves.
Disruption of gene expression in hybrids of the fire ants Solenopsis invicta and Solenopsis richteri

Transcriptome analysis is a powerful tool for unveiling the distribution and magnitude of genetic incompatibilities between hybridizing taxa. The nature of such incompatibilities is closely associated with the evolutionary histories of the parental species and may differ across tissues and between the sexes. In eusocial insects, the presence of castes that experience divergent selection regimes may result in additional distinct patterns of caste‐specific hybrid incompatibilities. We analysed levels of expression of >14 000 genes in two life stages of each caste in the fire ants Solenopsis invicta and Solenopsis richteri and in their hybrids. We found strong contributions of both developmental stage and caste to gene expression patterns. In contrast, variability in expression was only weakly associated with taxonomic identity, with hybrid scores falling between those of the two parental species. Hybrid incompatibilities were surprisingly modest, with only 32 genes being mis‐expressed, indicating low levels of disruption in gene regulation in hybrids; males and workers each mis‐expressed at least seven times as many genes as queens. Interestingly, homologues of many of the mis‐expressed genes have been implicated in behavioural variation in Drosophila melanogaster. General expression profiles of hybrids consistently were more similar to those of S. richteri than S. invicta, presumably because S. richteri trans‐regulatory elements tend to be dominant and/or because there is an overall bias in the genetic composition of the hybrids towards S. richteri. Altogether, our results suggest that selection acting on each caste may contribute differently to interspecific divergence and speciation in this group of ants.
Nigeria Syndrome Coronavirus-Like Virus in a Leaf-Nosed Bat in Identification of a Severe Acute Respiratory 2010

Bats are reservoirs for emerging zoonotic viruses that can have a profound impact on human and animal health, including lyssaviruses, filoviruses, paramyxoviruses, and severe acute respiratory syndrome coronaviruses (SARS-CoVs). In the course of a project focused on pathogen discovery in contexts where human-bat contact might facilitate more efficient interspecies transmission of viruses, we surveyed gastrointestinal tissue obtained from bats collected in caves in Nigeria that are frequented by humans. Coronavirus consensus PCR and unbiased high-throughput pyrosequencing revealed the presence of coronavirus sequences related to those of SARS-CoV in a Commerson’s leaf-nosed bat (Hipposideros commersoni). Additional genomic sequencing indicated that this virus, unlike subgroup 2b CoVs, which includes SARS-CoV, is unique, comprising three overlapping open reading frames between the M and N genes and two conserved stem-loop II motifs. Phylogenetic analyses in conjunction with these features suggest that this virus represents a new subgroup within group 2 CoVs. IMPORTANCE Bats (order Chiroptera, suborders Megachiroptera and Microchiroptera) are reservoirs for a wide range of viruses that cause diseases in humans and livestock, including the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus (SARS-CoV), responsible for the global SARS outbreak in 2003. The diversity of viruses harbored by bats is only just beginning to be understood because of expanded wildlife surveillance and the development and application of new tools for pathogen discovery. This paper describes a new coronavirus, one with a distinctive genomic organization that may provide insights into coronavirus evolution
Lessons from the Amazon Picking Challenge: Four Aspects of Robotic Systems Building

We describe the winning entry to the Amazon Picking Challenge. From the experience of building this system and competing in the Amazon Picking Challenge, we derive several conclusions: 1) We suggest to characterize robotic systems building along four key aspects, each of them spanning a spectrum of solutions—modularity vs. integration, generality vs. assumptions, computation vs. embodiment, and planning vs. feedback. 2) To understand which region of each spectrum most adequately addresses which robotic problem, we must explore the full spectrum of possible approaches. To achieve this, our community should agree on key aspects that characterize the solution space of robotic systems. 3) For manipulation problems in unstructured environments, certain regions of each spectrum match the problem most adequately, and should be exploited further. This is supported by the fact that our solution deviated from the majority of the other challenge entries along each of the spectra.
CHALLENGES AND BENEFITS OF INTERSEEDING LEGUMES INTO GRASS DOMINATED STANDS

Interseeding legumes into grass-dominated stands can benefit pasture and hay producers by increasing the yield and quality of forage they produce and reducing their need for inputs of nitrogen fertilizer. The challenge is to get the legumes established given the competition from existing vegetation. This study confirmed that suppressing the grasses with glyphosate prior to seeding results in the most consistent legume establishment. Close mowing to simulate heavy grazing generally did not result in improved establishment. Of the 5 legumes evaluated, alfalfa established the best in the glyphosate treatment in Colorado, increasing yield by over a ton per acre. In Idaho, establishment was more variable with red clover establishing well regardless of suppression treatment. No legumes established at the Oregon site due to heavy rodent activity. This study highlighted the importance of suppressing the existing grasses and choosing a vigorous legume species for interseeding to reduce the risk of seeding failure.
Neutral Buoyancy Technologies for Extended Performance Testing of Advanced Space Suits

Performance of new space suit designs is typically tested quantitatively in laboratory tests, at both the component and integrated systems levels. As the suit moves into neutral buoyancy testing, it is evaluated qualitatively by experienced subjects, and used to perform tasks with known times in earlier generation suits. This paper details the equipment design and test methodology for extended space suit performance metrics which might be achieved by appropriate instrumentation during operational testing. This paper presents a candidate taxonomy of testing categories applicable to EVA systems, such as reach, mobility, workload, and so forth. In each category, useful technologies are identified which will enable the necessary measurements to be made. In the subsequent section, each of these technologies are examined for feasibility, including examples of existing technologies where available. All of these measurements systems taken together can provide a much more detailed and quantitative evaluation of a pressure suit in realistic simulations of its operating environment.
Finite Element Study of a Lumbar Intervertebral Disc Nucleus Replacement Device

Nucleus replacement technologies are a minimally invasive alternative to spinal fusion and total disc replacement that have the potential to reduce pain and restore motion for patients with degenerative disc disease. Finite element modeling can be used to determine the biomechanics associated with nucleus replacement technologies. The current study focuses on a new nucleus replacement device designed as a conforming silicone implant with an internal void. A validated finite element model of the human lumbar L3–L4 motion segment was developed and used to investigate the influence of the nucleus replacement device on spine biomechanics. In addition, the effect of device design changes on biomechanics was determined. A 3D, L3–L4 finite element model was constructed from medical imaging data. Models were created with the normal intact nucleus, the nucleus replacement device, and a solid silicone implant. Probabilistic analysis was performed on the normal model to provide quantitative validation metrics. Sensitivity analysis was performed on the silicone Shore A durometer of the device. Models were loaded under axial compression followed by flexion/extension, lateral bending, or axial rotation. Compressive displacement, endplate stresses, reaction moment, and annulus stresses were determined and compared between the different models. The novel nucleus replacement device resulted in similar compressive displacement, endplate stress, and annulus stress and slightly higher reaction moment compared with the normal nucleus. The solid implant resulted in decreased displacement, increased endplate stress, decreased annulus stress, and decreased reaction moment compared with the novel device. With increasing silicone durometer, compressive displacement decreased, endplate stress increased, reaction moment increased, and annulus stress decreased. Finite element analysis was used to show that the novel nucleus replacement device results in similar biomechanics compared with the normal intact nucleus.
Option for estat abond

Command Description estat summarize summary statistics for the estimation sample estat vce variance–covariance matrix of the estimators (VCE) estimates cataloging estimation results forecast dynamic forecasts and simulations lincom point estimates, standard errors, testing, and inference for linear combinations of coefficients margins marginal means, predictive margins, marginal effects, and average marginal effects marginsplot graph the results from margins (profile plots, interaction plots, etc.) nlcom point estimates, standard errors, testing, and inference for nonlinear combinations of coefficients predict predictions, residuals, influence statistics, and other diagnostic measures predictnl point estimates, standard errors, testing, and inference for generalized predictions test Wald tests of simple and composite linear hypotheses testnl Wald tests of nonlinear hypotheses
LDPC Codes in the McEliece Cryptosystem: Attacks and Countermeasures

The McEliece cryptosystem is a public-key cryptosystem based on coding theory that has successfully resisted cryptanalysis for thirty years. The original version, based on Goppa codes, is able to guarantee a high level of security, and is faster than competing solutions, like RSA. Despite this, it has been rarely considered in practical applications, due to two major drawbacks: i) large size of the public key and ii) low transmission rate. Low-Density Parity-Check (LDPC) codes are state-of-art forward error correcting codes that permit to approach the Shannon limit while ensuring limited complexity. Quasi-Cyclic (QC) LDPC codes are a particular class of LDPC codes, able to join low complexity encoding of QC codes with high-performing and low-complexity decoding of LDPC codes. In a previous work it has been proposed to adopt a particular family of QC-LDPC codes in the McEliece cryptosystem to reduce the key size and increase the transmission rate. Recently, however, new attacks have been found that are able to exploit a flaw in the transformation from the private key to the public one. Such attacks can be effectively countered by changing the form of some constituent matrices, without altering the system parameters. This work gives an overview of the QC-LDPC codes-based McEliece cryptosystem and its cryptanalysis. Two recent versions are considered, and their ability to counter all the currently known attacks is discussed. A third version able to reach a higher security level is also proposed. Finally, it is shown that the new QC-LDPC codes-based cryptosystem scales favorably with the key length.
Spray drift from Knapsack sprayers : a study conducted within the framework of the Sino-Dutch Pesticide Environmental Risk Assessment Project PERAP

Drift from the application of crop protection products can cause damage to neighboring crops, ecosystems and human health. In this report, estimations of spray drift with reference to Chinese agricultural systems are provided, based on data from literature and a modeling study. As knapsack sprayers make up the most important tool for pesticide application in China, this study focussed on drift from knapsack sprayers. The results presented in this report will be used to model a pesticide drift and conduct an environmental risk assessment of pesticides in Chinese agricultural systems, as part of the Sino-Dutch Pesticide Environmental Risk Assessment Project PERAP.