Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Software defined security for vehicular ad hoc networks

Vehicular Ad hoc NETwork (VANET) is one of the intensively growing technologies which shape new social and engineering opportunities such as smart traffic control, effective road safety, optimal rescue maintenance, enhanced customer services. However, common VANET as a large-scale wireless environment with extremely dynamic topology lacks in information security. Specific nature of VANET prevents traditional solutions to be applied `as is' for security purposes. The paper reviews software defined security (SDS) suggested to be employed to provide the programmable and flexible access control to VANET.
Gender Differences in Anomia among China’s Rural Migrant Workers in the Context of Gender Imbalance

Most research findings regarding anomia agree that women in the Western society have higher levels of anomia than men. The social role theory has often been employed to explain the gender differences in psychological states,arguing that women’s poorer psychological wellbeing is primarily due to their segregated family roles that give little return values,and even if they participate in the sphere outside family,their public roles often involve conflict and tension with their family roles. Such a conclusion is derived from the research in Western industrialized settings. However,contemporary Chinese society is undergoing two major structural changes: gender imbalance and population migration,which may alter not only the social roles occupied by men and women but also their relative power in family. In such a social context,the current paper aims to explore whether there exist gender differences in anomia among rural migrant workers,and if there are,their determinant factors.The data for this study come from the "Rural-Urban Migrants Study in District Y,X City,Fujian" in 2009. The sample surveyed were rural-urban migrants aged 16 years and older with agricultural hukou who had migrated to X City to work. In order to improve the representativeness of the sample,a loose quota sampling method was adopted,and the final sample had 1,507 participants. Multivariate linear regression analysis of the data has produced the following findings about the rural migrant workers: First,men have higher levels of anomia than women. Second,the unmarried have a higher level of anomia than the married,with the older unmarried being worse,but there is no gender difference in the influence of marital status on anomia. Third,education,career,migration time,employment and other instrumental social roles and characteristics related to supporting family have a significant influence on anomia only among men. Fourth,resource-oriented social participation has a significant influence on anomia only among men,but emotion-oriented social participation has a significant influence on anomia only among women. Fifth,chronic diseases have a significant influence on anomia only among men.
Investigating The Influence Of Financial Reward On Lagos State University Staff Turnover Intention

This study investigated the nature of relationship between turnover intention and financial rewards.Turnover intention can be linked to a situation where motivators are not put in place to get the best out of workers.Simple random sampling techniques was used to select 400 staff (male, n=250, female, n=150) of Lagos State University. A self-administered questionnaire was used to collect data from the participants using Pay Satisfaction Scale (PSS) adapted from the Spector’s Job Satisfaction Scale and the Turnover Intention Scale (TIS) from Mobley, Horner, and Hollingsworth (1978). Pearson’s Product Moment correlation coefficient was used to analyze the data gotten from the participants. One hypothesis was tested and it was found that there is a significant positive relationship between turnover intention and financial rewards.This study recommends that pay satisfaction of workers should be an uttermost concern for the university management so as to reduce staff turnover intentions.
Initial rendezvous protocol using multicarrier operation for ad-hoc cognitive radio networks

In cognitive radio technology, the overall capacity of communications systems can be improved without allocating additional bands by allowing secondary system to utilize the licensed band when a primary system who has right to use the band does not use it. In this paper, we consider how to set up a common channel for data communication in an ad-hoc networks consisting of a cluster head and member nodes using a cognitive radio technology. We propose a new initial rendezvous protocol that uses the system activation signal which has angle difference patterns with multicarrier operations.
Sex differences in directional brain responses to infant hunger cries

Infant cries are a critical survival mechanism that draw the attention of adult caregivers, who can then satisfy the basic needs of otherwise helpless infants. Here, we used functional neuroimaging to determine the effects of infant hunger cries on the brain activity of adults who were in a cognitively nondemanding mental state of awake rest. We found that the brains of men and women, independent of parental status (parent or nonparent), reacted differently to infant cries. Specifically, the dorsal medial prefrontal and posterior cingulate areas, known to be involved in mind wandering (the stream of thought typical of awake rest), remained active in men during exposure to infant cries, whereas in women, activity in these regions decreased. These results show sex-dependent modulation of brain responses to infant requests to be fed, and specifically, they indicate that women interrupt mind wandering when exposed to the sounds of infant hunger cries, whereas men carry on without interruption.
Dlk1 is a negative regulator of emerging hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells

The first mouse adult-repopulating hematopoietic stem cells emerge in the aorta-gonad-mesonephros region at embryonic day (E) 10.5. Their numbers in this region increase thereafter and begin to decline at E12.5, thus pointing to the possible existence of both positive and negative regulators of emerging hematopoietic stem cells. Our recent expression analysis of the aorta-gonad-mesonephros region showed that the Delta-like homologue 1 (Dlk1) gene is up-regulated in the region of the aorta-gonad-mesonephros where hematopoietic stem cells are preferentially located. To analyze its function, we studied Dlk1 expression in wild-type and hematopoietic stem cell-deficient embryos and determined hematopoietic stem and progenitor cell activity in Dlk1 knockout and overexpressing mice. Its role in hematopoietic support was studied in co-culture experiments using stromal cell lines that express varying levels of Dlk1. We show here that Dlk1 is expressed in the smooth muscle layer of the dorsal aorta and the ventral sub-aortic mesenchyme, where its expression is dependent on the hematopoietic transcription factor Runx1. We further demonstrate that Dlk1 has a negative impact on hematopoietic stem and progenitor cell activity in the aorta-gonad-mesonephros region in vivo, which is recapitulated in co-cultures of hematopoietic stem cells on stromal cells that express varying levels of Dlk1. This negative effect of Dlk1 on hematopoietic stem and progenitor cell activity requires the membrane-bound form of the protein and cannot be recapitulated by soluble Dlk1. Together, these data suggest that Dlk1 expression by cells of the aorta-gonad-mesonephros hematopoietic microenvironment limits hematopoietic stem cell expansion and is, to our knowledge, the first description of such a negative regulator in this tissue.
Skeletonizing Character Images Using a Modified Medial Axis-Based Strategy

In this paper we propose a thinning methodology applicable to character images. It is novel in terms of its ability to adapt to local character shape while constructing the thinned skeleton. Our method does not produce many of the distortions in the character shapes which normally result from the use of existing thinning algorithms. The proposed thinning methodology is based on the medial axis of the character. The skeleton has a width of one pixel. As a by-product of our thinning approach, the skeleton also gets segmented into strokes in vector form. Hence further stroke segmentation is not required. We have conducted experiments with printed and handwritten characters in several scripts such as English, Bengali, Hindi, Kannada and Tamil. We obtain less spurious branches compared to other thinning methods. Our method does not use any kind of post processing.
Phase 2 Study of an HIV-1 Canarypox Vaccine (vCP1452) Alone and in Combination With rgp120: Negative Results Fail to Trigger a Phase 3 Correlates Trial

Background:A goal of T-cell HIV vaccines is to define the correlation between a vaccine-induced immune response and protection from HIV infection. We conducted a phase 2 trial to determine if a canarypox vaccine candidate (vCP1452) administered with rgp120 subunit protein would “qualify” for a trial to define a correlate of efficacy. Methods:A total of 330 healthy volunteers were enrolled into 4 groups: 120 received vCP1452 alone (0, 1, 3, and 6 months), 120 received vCP1452 with 2 different regimens of rgp120 coadministration, and 90 received placebo. HIV-specific antibody responses were measured by enzyme-linked immunoassay (ELISA) and neutralizing activity. T-cell responses were measured by chromium release and interferon-γ (IFNγ) enzyme-linked immunospot (ELISpot) assay. Results:Significant neutralizing antibody responses to the HIV MN strain were detected in all vaccine groups, with net responses ranging from 57% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 40% to 71%) to 94% (95% CI: 85% to 99%). Net cumulative HIV-specific CD8+ IFNγ ELISpot assay responses were 13% (95% CI: −1% to 26%) for recipients of vCP1452 alone and 16% (95% CI: 2% to 29%) for recipients of vCP1452 plus rgp120. Conclusions:Overall, the HIV-specific CD8+ cytotoxic T lymphocyte (CTL) response was not sufficient to qualify the regimen for a subsequent trial designed to detect an immune correlate of protection requiring a minimum CD8+ CTL frequency of 30%.
DSM-5 disruptive mood dysregulation disorder: correlates and predictors in young children

Background Despite the inclusion of disruptive mood dysregulation disorder (DMDD) in DSM-5, little empirical data exist on the disorder. We estimated rates, co-morbidity, correlates and early childhood predictors of DMDD in a community sample of 6-year-olds. Method DMDD was assessed in 6-year-old children (n = 462) using a parent-reported structured clinical interview. Age 6 years correlates and age 3 years predictors were drawn from six domains: demographics; child psychopathology, functioning, and temperament; parental psychopathology; and the psychosocial environment. Results The 3-month prevalence rate for DMDD was 8.2% (n = 38). DMDD occurred with an emotional or behavioral disorder in 60.5% of these children. At age 6 years, concurrent bivariate analyses revealed associations between DMDD and depression, oppositional defiant disorder, the Child Behavior Checklist – Dysregulation Profile, functional impairment, poorer peer functioning, child temperament (higher surgency and negative emotional intensity and lower effortful control), and lower parental support and marital satisfaction. The age 3 years predictors of DMDD at age 6 years included child attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, oppositional defiant disorder, the Child Behavior Checklist – Dysregulation Profile, poorer peer functioning, child temperament (higher child surgency and negative emotional intensity and lower effortful control), parental lifetime substance use disorder and higher parental hostility. Conclusions A number of children met DSM-5 criteria for DMDD, and the diagnosis was associated with numerous concurrent and predictive indicators of emotional and behavioral dysregulation and poor functioning.
Development of omics-based clinical tests for prognosis and therapy selection: The challenge of achieving statistical robustness and clinical utility

Background Many articles have been published in biomedical journals reporting on the development of prognostic and therapy-guiding biomarkers or predictors developed from high-dimensional data generated by omics technologies. Few of these tests have advanced to routine clinical use. Purpose We discuss statistical issues in the development and evaluation of prognostic and therapy-guiding biomarkers and omics-based tests. Methods Concepts relevant to the development and evaluation of prognostic and therapy-guiding clinical tests are illustrated through discussion and examples. Some differences between statistical approaches for test evaluation and therapy evaluation are explained. The additional complexities introduced in the evaluation of omics-based tests are highlighted. Results Distinctions are made between clinical validity of a test and clinical utility. To establish clinical utility for prognostic tests, it is explained why absolute risk should be evaluated in addition to relative risk measures. The critical role of an appropriate control group is emphasized for evaluation of therapy-guiding tests. Common pitfalls in the development and evaluation of tests generated from high-dimensional omics data such as model overfitting and inappropriate methods for test performance evaluation are explained, and proper approaches are suggested. Limitations The cited references do not comprise an exhaustive list of useful references on this topic, and a systematic review of the literature was not performed. Instead, a few key points were highlighted and illustrated with examples drawn from the oncology literature. Conclusions Approaches for the development and statistical evaluation of clinical tests useful for predicting prognosis and selecting therapy differ from standard approaches for therapy evaluation. Proper evaluation requires an understanding of the clinical setting and what information is likely to influence clinical decisions. Specialized expertise relevant to building mathematical predictor models from high-dimensional data is helpful to avoid common pitfalls in the development and evaluation of omics-based tests.
Contribution of TMC6 and TMC8 (EVER1 and EVER2) variants to cervical cancer susceptibility

Cervical cancer (CxCa) is caused by persistent human papillomavirus (HPV) infection; genetic predisposition is also suspected to play a role. Our study is a targeted candidate gene follow‐up based on: (i) strong clinical evidence demonstrating that mutations in the TMC6 and TMC8 (EVER1 and EVER2) genes associate with the HPV‐associated disease epidermodysplasia verruciformis (EV) and (ii) recent epidemiological data suggesting a genetic susceptibility conferred by polymorphisms in such genes for skin and CxCa. Clarifying the association of the TMC6/8 genes with risk of CxCa will help in understanding why some HPV‐infected women develop persistent infection, cervical lesions and eventually cancer while others do not. Twenty‐two single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) harboring the TMC6/8 genes were genotyped in 2,989 cases with cervical intraepithelial neoplasia grade III or invasive CxCa and 2,281 controls from the Swedish population. Association was evaluated in logistic regression models. Two SNPs displayed association with cervical disease: rs2290907 [odds ratio (OR)GGvsAA = 0.6, 95% confidence interval (95% CI): 0.3–0.9, p = 0.02)] and rs16970849 (ORAGvsGG = 0.8, 95% CI: 0.66–0.98, p = 0.03). The present data support the involvement of the TMC6/8 region in CxCa susceptibility but further analyses are needed to replicate our findings, fully characterize the region and understand the function of the genetic variants involved.
High Frequency Resonators Using Exotic Nanomaterials

Human made mechanical resonators have been around for a thousand years [1]. Early applications included musical instruments and chronographs operating in millihertz to kilohertz frequencies while more recent interest has turned ultra-high frequency resonators and oscillators suitable for wireless technologies, mass sensing and even biological applications [2-9]. The trend has been towards small, stiff and low mass from micro-electro-mechanical systems towards nano-electromechanical systems. There has been examples of reports of using mechanical resonators for myriad of applications including mass sensing, charge detection, biosensing and RF communications [2, 6, 8-13]. New nano-materials such as carbon nanotubes, graphene, zinc oxide nanobelts, and silver-gallium nanowires are good candidates for high frequency mechanical nanoresonators due to their excellent physical properties and therefore is the subject of this study using COMSOL Multiphysics® models. Developing models in COMSOL for new exotic nanomaterials can help in validation of such materials for myriad of applications as mentioned above.
Robust MIMO cognitive radio systems under temperature interference constraints

In cognitive radio (CR) systems, the primary users (PU) are protected by temperature interference constraints imposed on secondary users (SU). However, such limitations may be easily violated by SUs if perfect SU-to-PU channel state information (CSI) is not available at the secondary transmitters. In this paper, we propose a novel and distributed design of MIMO CR networks that is robust against imperfect SU-to-PU CSI. Specifically, we formulate the system design as a noncooperative game and robust global interference constraints are enforced via pricing; the prices are thus additional variables to be optimized. Building on the advanced and new theory of finite-dimensional variational inequalities (VI) in the complex domain, we analyze the proposed NE problem and devise alternative distributed algorithms along with their convergence properties.
Prevalence and impact of childhood adversities and post‐traumatic stress disorder in women with fibromyalgia and chronic widespread pain

This study investigates the prevalence of different types of childhood adversities (CA) and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in female patients with Fibromyalgia or Chronic Widespread Pain (FM/CWP) compared to patients with Functional Dyspepsia (FD) and achalasia. In FM/CWP, we also investigated the association between CA and PTSD on the one hand and pain severity on the other.
Can the use of skeletal anchors in conjunction with fixed functional appliances promote skeletal changes? A systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND Recently, the use of skeletal anchors in conjunction with fixed functional appliances (FFAs) has been advocated to enhance skeletal changes and reduce proclination of the lower incisors. OBJECTIVE To compare the skeletal and dento-alveolar effects of the use of FFAs with and without skeletal anchorage (miniscrews or miniplates). SEARCH METHODS Unrestricted electronic search of six databases and additional manual searches were performed up to July 2015. ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA Randomized and prospective non-randomized controlled trials directly comparing the use of FFA with and without skeletal anchorage, and involving growing patients with Class II malocclusion. DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS Skeletal and dento-alveolar outcomes data were extracted in pre-defined sheets to collect study characteristics by two authors independently. After evaluating risk of bias, the standardized mean differences (SMDs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated with random-effects models. Subgrouping was pre-planned on the basis of the skeletal anchorage type used. Additional subgroup analysis was performed on the basis of the type of FFA used and the study design. RESULTS Seven studies were evaluated, and only five of which were included in the meta-analysis. The analysis included data from 157 Class II subjects (77 treated with FFA and skeletal anchorage, and 80 with FFA alone). Random-effects meta-analysis demonstrated no significant differences in the mandibular length and SNB angle changes [SMD = 1.98 (95% CI -0.11 to 4.07) and 1.20 (95% CI -0.37 to 2.77) respectively]. Significant differences were found between the inclination changes of lower and upper incisors [SMD = -1.43 (95% CI -2.59 to -0.27) and SMD = -1.04 (95% CI -1.57 to -0.51) respectively]. Subgroup differences were highly significant in most of the outcomes. CONCLUSIONS The studies reviewed provide insufficient evidence to form a conclusion regarding the effects of the use of skeletal anchorage with FFA. The available weak evidence suggests that the use of skeletal anchorage with FFA has no superior skeletal effects but is able to reduce proclination of the lower incisors.
Anteroposterior Patterning of Gene Expression in the Human Infant Sclera: Chondrogenic Potential and Wnt Signaling

ABSTRACT Purpose/Aim: We sought to identify the anteroposterior spatial gene expression hierarchy in the human sclera to develop a hypothesis for axial elongation and deformity of the eyeball. Materials and Methods: We analyzed the global gene expression of human scleral cells derived from distinct parts of the human infant sclera obtained from surgically enucleated eyes with retinoblastoma, using Affymetrix GeneChip oligonucleotide arrays, and compared, in particular, gene expression levels between the anterior and posterior parts of the sclera. The ages of three donors were 10M, 4M, and 1Y9M. Results: K-means clustering analysis of gene expression revealed that expression levels of cartilage-associated genes such as COLXIA and ACAN increased from the anterior to the posterior part of the sclera. Microarray analyses and RT-PCR data showed that the expression levels of MGP, COLXIA, BMP4, and RARB were significantly higher in the posterior than in the anterior sclera of two independent infant eyes. Conversely, expression levels of WNT2, DKK2, GREM1, and HOXB2 were significantly higher in the anterior sclera. Among several Wnt-family genes examined, WNT2B was found to be expressed at a significantly higher level in the posterior sclera, and the reverse order was observed for WNT2. The results of luciferase reporter assays suggested that a GSK-3β inhibitor stimulated Wnt/β-catenin signaling particularly strongly in the posterior sclera. The expression pattern of RARB, a myopia-related gene, was similar in three independent eyes. Conclusions: Chondrogenic potential was higher and Wnt/β-catenin signaling was more potently activated by a GSK-3β inhibitor in the posterior than in the anterior part of the human infant sclera. Although the differences in the gene expression profiles between the anterior and posterior sclera might be involved only in normal growth processes, this anteroposterior hierarchy in the sclera might contribute to disorders involving abnormal elongation and deformity of the eyeball, including myopia.