Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Privacy-Preserving Data Aggregation in Peer-to-Peer Network

Current interconnected society provides us with numerous devices communicating with one another. Exchange of data thus become an integral part in our live. Data become valuable commodity in today’s setting because of their usage by individual and other interested parties. Several parties may be interested in computing a function over their data while still want to keep the information on their own data private. Prior research on computing function in privacy preserving way in the domain of smart power-grid, e-metering system, wireless sensor network, and smart phone sensing generally focus on their own application and assume a total control and the static structure of the network. Moreover, a new paradigm in the field of decentralized power-grid requires privacy preserving solution to be applicable without existence of central authority. We propose two privacy preserving data aggregation protocols in peer-to-peer network scenario where there is such central authority involved. The first protocol utilizes additive homomorphism properties of Pailier scheme and the second protocol utilizes secret sharing. Both of the protocol achieve privacy-preserving requirement of some nodes in the network, as opposed to all nodes, that are included in the aggregation set by a hop count parameter from the initiating node. This way, both of the protocols require no information of overall network structure and privacypreserving data aggregation is achieved by being able to communicate with direct neighbors of each node in the network only.
MOLECULAR DETECTION OF HUMAN RETROVIRUS (HRV-5) IN COMMON RHEUMATIC DISORDERS

Objective: HRV-5 has been implicated in the pathogenesis of a number of autoimmune diseases. This study aimed at assessing the role of HRV-5 in the pathogenesis of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and osteoarthritis (OA). Methodology: The study was conducted on 25 female SLE patients with mean age of 35.8±7.4 years and 25 female RA patients with mean age of 48 ± 13.4 years, as well as, 25 female OA patients with mean age of 51 ± 14.5 years, in addition to 25 age-matched apparently healthy female controls. All participants were subjected to detailed clinical assessment and laboratory investigations. HRV-5 proviral DNA was detected with nested polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and positive results were confirmed with DNA sequencing. Results: The frequency of detection of HRV-5 proviral DNA was 8%, 12% and 4% in our RA, SLE and OA patients, respectively. Sequence analysis of the amplified viral segment showed genetic variation between samples with maintenance of the open reading frame, typical of a replicating infectious retrovirus. Conclusion: Our results support the hypothesis that HRV-5 may play a role in the etiopathogenesis of both SLE and RA, but further investigations are needed to confirm its role.
The Case Study as a Method for Exploring Expert Music Teaching

This article explains how the case study method was used in an exploration of the career of an expert music teacher. The contextual and holistic qualities of the case study are discussed. In addition, insider research and the situated knowledge of participants in this case study are considered, leading to a brief summary of the research findings and an explication of the expert music teacher.
Data Augmentation to Stabilize Image Caption Generation Models in Deep Learning

Automatic image caption generation is a challenging AI problem since it requires utilization of several techniques from different computer science domains such as computer vision and natural language processing. Deep learning techniques have demonstrated outstanding results in many different applications. However, data augmentation in deep learning, which replicates the amount and the variety of training data available for learning models without the burden of collecting new data, is a promising field in machine learning. Generating textual description for a given image is a challenging task for computers. Nowadays, deep learning performs a significant role in the manipulation of visual data with the help of Convolutional Neural Networks (CNN). In this study, CNNs are employed to train prediction models which will help in automatic image caption generation. The proposed method utilizes the concept of data augmentation to overcome the fuzziness of well-known image caption generation models. Flickr8k dataset is used in the experimental work of this study and the BLEU score is applied to evaluate the reliability of the proposed method. The results clearly show the stability of the outcomes generated through the proposed method when compared to others.
A Study of the Indoor Walking Navigation System for Patients with Early-stage Alzheimer's Disease

We explored the effect and the difference between types of electronic map, paper map and colored lines guide on the wayfinding abilities of Alzheimer's disease (AD) patients. Fifty-six normal control (NC) subjects, nineteen mild cognitive impairment (MCI) patients and thirty patients with Alzheimer's disease (AD) were recruited to participate in this study. Based on a virtual maze with 3Dmax and an interface with Virtools, our results showed that the wayfinding abilities were worse in the AD group compared with the MCI group and normal aged participants. However, with the support of track-up map and colored lines guide, the AD group and MCI group had similar performance as to normal aged participants. Our study has provided insight to establish future electric navigation maps built for patients with cognition impairment. Index Terms - Alzheimer's Disease, Walking Navigaiton Syetem, Wayfinding, Virtual Environment.
EVALUATION OF PROTECTIVE PROPERTIES OF POLY (VINYL) ALCOHOL THIN FILM FORMED ON STAINLESS STEEL FOR ORTHOPEDIC IMPLANT APPLICATIONS

The surface characterization of 304L stainless steel for orthopedic implant applications, unmodified and modified with poly (vinyl) alcohol (PVA) in physiological serum (PS) is discussed according to electrochemical measurements, Scanning Electron Microscopy with Energy Dispersive X-ray Spectroscopy ( SEM / EDS) and X-ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy (XPS) techniques. The results obtained through polarization curves indicate that PVA reduces anodic dissolution and also decrease of the corrosion current (icorr); decrease of the corrosion current (icorr) was associated with a shift of corrosion potential (Ecorr) to a less negative values; the polarization resistance(Rp) increases for the surfaces which were treated in physiological serum in the presence of PVA. SEM / EDS and XPS analysis showed that the surface layer which was formed on 304L stainless steel consists of PVA containing of small amount of other elements, such as: Na and Cl.
Coping with Social and Cultural Variables in C2 modelling for Networked Enabled Forces

This paper seeks to address the question “How much is enough? ” when it comes to modelling sociotechnical problems. Of particular concern is the impact of social and cultural variability on the ability of forces to implement and exploit Network Enabled Capability and the Effects Based Approach to operations. UK modellers have a long tradition of good quality modelling in support of Defence investment and Military operations. However, the opportunities and expectations raised by the Information Age have challenged modellers to broaden their horizons and to re-appraise the requisite scope of their models. The paper reports developments in a research project designed to improve the state-of-the-art in operational analysis modelling to allow for support to balancing investments across all lines of development, including the differential effects of people, training, doctrine, and organisation as well as equipment and process. The paper will expose the modelling work and the theoretical and empirical evidence which support the needs for such modelling, including lessons learned form recent conflicts and civilian experiences in the Information Age.
Organisational design for knowledge exchange: the Hau-Ba model-Ahmed Bounfour and Gwénaëlle Grefe

The question of knowledge transfer has been a core interest for research and was mainly focused on the issue of its intrinsic nature. One of the main instruments used in the previous studies was the concept of Ba; this theory opened stimulating perspectives for understanding knowledge creation through knowledge transfer. As defined by Nonaka and Konno (1998), the concept while providing a strong understanding of the importance of obtaining dynamic interactions in the Ba, it didn’t explain their modalities in analytical terms. In this chapter, we are providing an analytical framework for understanding the sequence of transfer of knowledge between members of professional communities. Doing so, we question the existence of a global organisational knowledge exchange system. This new topic in the Knowledge Management literature implicitly raises the important issue of organisational design and governance. Indeed, managing knowledge could become the talent of implementing spaces and animating communities of actors linked by common « spirit » and identity. In order to tie these dimensions together, a model is developed: the Hau-Ba theory (Bounfour, 2000, 2006) which is first presented in this paper from a theoretical point of view before being explored in the concrete setting of a community of Founders, within a large aluminium company.
A Miniaturization Band-Pass Filter with Ultra-Narrow Multi-Notch-Band Characteristic for Ultra-Wideband Communication Applications

─ In this paper, we present a novel approach for designing compact Ultra-Wideband (UWB) band-pass filters with desired multi-notchband characteristics. The multi-notch-band features are realized by using a ring-stub multimode resonator, while the equivalent model is also obtained by using the odd/even excitation resonance condition. The fabricated prototype of the band-pass multi-notch-band filter demonstrates a good behavior as expected. Simulated and experimental results show that the proposed filter with a compact size of 25×10 mm2, has an impedance bandwidth between 3.0 GHz and 10.6 GHz; while the multiple notch bands are achieved and their center frequencies are located at 3.9 GHz, 5.25 GHz, 5.9 GHz, 6.8 GHz and 8.0 GHz. The proposed filter is suitable for being integrated in UWB radio systems to efficiently enhance the interference immunity from unexpected signals, such as Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access (WiMAX), Wireless Local-Area Network (WLAN), 6.8 GHz Radio Rrequency Identification (RFID) communication and X-band satellite communications. Index Terms Band-pass filter, multi-notch band characteristics, notch band filter and UWB filter.
Data envelopment analysis models with network structure

Data envelopment analysis (DEA) is a non-parametric technique for evaluation of relative efficiency of decision making units described by multiple inputs and outputs. It is based on solving linear programming problems. Since 1978 when basic DEA model was introduced many its modifications were formulated. Among them are two or multi-stage models with serial or parallel structure often called network DEA models that are widely discussed in professional community in the last years. The paper presents several approaches for analysis of network production systems and formulates DEA network models for two-stage serial and parallel systems. The presented models are used in a case study that is focused on evaluation of production and profit efficiency of banks in the Czech Republic. The results given by two single DEA models for the first and second stages and then by network model are presented and compared.
Low energy quantum gravity from the effective average action

Within the effective average action approach to quantum gravity, we recover the low-energy effective action as derived in the effective field theory framework by studying the flow of possibly nonlocal form factors that appear in the curvature expansion of the effective average action. We restrict to the one-loop flow where progress can be made with the aid of the nonlocal heat kernel expansion. We discuss the possible physical implications of the scale-dependent low-energy effective action through the analysis of the quantum corrections to the Newtonian potential.
Investigation of Some Pesticides’ Effects on Activities of Glutathione Reductase and Glutathione S-Transferase Purified from Turkey Liver under in Vitro Conditions

Istenmeyen turlerin ortadan kaldirilmasi ve daha verimli bir tarim icin kulanilan pestisitlerin, cok kucuk bir kismi hedef organizmaya ulasirken oldukca buyuk bir kismi da hedef olmayan organizmalara ulasmaktadir. Cesitli amaclarla kullanilan pestisitlerin soz konusu organizmalarin glutatyon mekanizmasini olumsuz sekilde etkileyebilecegi ekibimiz tarafindan ongorulmustur. Ancak etkili dozaj araliginin tespit edilmesi calisma konumuzun amacini olusturmaktadir. Bu nedenle belirtilen calismada glutatyon sisteminin iki onemli enzimi olan glutatyon reduktaz (GR) ve glutatyon S-transferazin (GST) aktiviteleri uzerine oldukca yaygin kullanilan pestisitlerin (lambda-sihalotrin, sipermetrin, klorpirifos, diklorvos, glifosat izopropilamin) in vitro etkileri arastirilmistir. Hindi karacigerinden saflastirilan GR enzim aktivitesi uzerine lambda-sihalotrin’nin etki etmedigi, klorpirifos, glifosat izopropilaminin, diklorvos ve sipermetrinin ise inhibisyona sebep oldugu tespit edilmistir. Hindi karacigerinden saflastirilan GST enzim aktivitesi uzerine soz konusu pestisitlerin etkileri in vitro sartlarda arastirildiginda ise calisma kapsaminda incelenen tum pestisitlerin inhibisyon etkisine sahip oldugu belirlenmistir. Bu kapsamda yaygin olarak kullanilan zirai ilaclarin canli yasam icin risk olusturabilecek potansiyel dozajlari tespit edilmistir.
Ownership Unbundling of Gas Transmission Networks - Empirical Evidence

The European Commission has intensively discussed the mandatory separation of natural gas transmission from production and services. However, economic theory is ambiguous on the price eﬀects of vertical separation. In this paper, we empirically analyse the eﬀect of ownership unbundling of gas transmission networks as the strongest form of vertical separation on the level of end-user prices. Therefore, we apply diﬀerent dynamic estimators as system GMM and the bias-corrected least-squares dummy variable or LSDVC estimator on an unbalanced panel out of 18 EU countries over 19 years, allowing us to avoid the endogeneity problem and to estimate the long-run eﬀects of regulation. We introduce a set of regulatory indicators as market entry regulation, ownership structure, vertical separation and market structure and account for structural and economic country speciﬁcs. Among these diﬀerent estimators, we consistently ﬁnd that ownership unbundling has no impact on natural gas end-user prices, while the more modest legal unbundling reduces them signiﬁcantly. Furthermore, third-party access, market structure and privatisation show signiﬁcant inﬂuence with the latter leading to higher price levels.
Perceptions of Secondary School Students’ Towards Environmental Services: A Case Study from Czechia

A total of 967 students (males and females) from four secondary schools in Vysocina region of Czechia were interviewed via 24‐question Likert‐type questionnaire to assess student’s environmental awareness and perceptions. The generalized linear models were used to test if (and to what extent) student perceptions related to environment are/ or not influenced by various factors including gender, age, place of residence, educational level, and specialization. The results showed that students’ age, place of residence, education level and their specialization did not significantly affect (p<0.05) their environmental perceptions. However, gender appeared to be statistically significant (p<0.05) influencing student environmental perceptions and also showed linkages to basic environmental education, attitudes and engagement of students in science-related activities. Our results strongly support the need for more environmental education, awareness campaigns in the schools and engaging students in outdoor environment related activities. Future research should include detail environmental surveys targeting school students across Czechia.
THE TOP-LEVEL DESIGN STUDY FOR THE INTEGRATED DISASTER REDUCTION INTELLIGENT SERVICE

Geo-spatial information technology can provide data resources, positioning benchmarks, basic framework and key technologies for disaster prevention and reduction. At present, there are some problems in China’s disaster reduction services. Too much emphasis is placed on decision-making and not on early warning. In addition, the technology, system and application integration of disaster reduction services is not enough. There is still a lack of a unified understanding and a holistic top-level design guidance framework of disaster reduction services. In order to solve the technical problems of integrated perception, location, integration and comprehensive scene simulation of emergency information such as disaster events, various disaster-bearing bodies and the disaster-pregnant environment, and knowledgeable disaster reduction services, this paper returns to the nature of disaster reduction services, outlines the background of the concept of top integrated design of the integrated disaster reduction intelligent services, puts forward and explains the concept, connotation and characteristics of the integrated disaster reduction intelligent services from the perspective of surveying, mapping and geoinformation. Besides, an integrated disaster mitigation intelligence services architecture is designed with the consideration of the demand for disaster prevention and reduction services. This enterprise architecture is composed of the perception layer, the network layer, the technology layer, the system layer and the application layer. Finally, the paper mainly elaborates comprehensive disaster reduction technology system, including high-precision indoor and outdoor seamless positioning, accurate integration of spatial information, emergency scenarios integrated simulation and intelligent information services as the core technology in complex disaster environment, and formed the intelligence, totalization, integration and accurate thinking of disaster reduction services technology. The proposed top-level design for the integrated disaster reduction intelligent services can solve the integrated perception, positioning, integration and simulation of the scene, and intellectualized disaster reduction services and other technical problems.
Effect of Temperature Dependent Fluid Properties on Heat Transfer in Turbulent Mixed Convection

The effect of the uniform fluid properties approximation (Oberbeck-Boussinesq (OB)) in turbulent mixed convection is investigated via direct numerical simulation (DNS) of water flows with viscosity (l) and thermal expansion coefficient (b) both independently and simultaneously varying with temperature (non-Oberbeck-Boussinesq conditions (NOB)). Mixed convection is analyzed for the prototypical case of Poiseuille-RayleighB enard (PRB) turbulent channel flow. In PRB flows, the combination of buoyancy driven (Rayleigh-B enard) with pressure driven (Poiseuille) effects produce a complex flow structure, which depends on the relative intensity of the flow parameters (i.e., the Grashof number, Gr, and the shear Reynolds number, Res). In liquids, however, temperature variations induce local changes of fluid properties which influence the macroscopic flow field. We present results for different absolute values of the shear Richardson numbers (Ris 1⁄4 Gr=Re2s ) under constant temperature boundary conditions. As Ris is increased buoyant thermal plumes are generated, which induce large scale thermal convection that increases momentum and heat transport efficiency. Analysis of friction factor (Cf) and Nusselt number (Nu) for NOB conditions shows that the effect of viscosity is negligible, whereas the effect of thermal expansion coefficient is significant. Statistics of mixing show that (i) mixing increases for increasing Ris (and decreases for increasing Res) and (ii) the effect of thermal expansion coefficient on mixing increases for increasing Ris (and decreases for increasing Res). A simplified phenomenological model to predict heat transfer rates in PRB flows has also been developed. [DOI: 10.1115/1.4025135]
Tumorigenicity in Colorectal Cancer and CD 44-Positive Cancer Cells via Osteopontin / CD 44 Promote Reciprocal Interactions between Tumor-Associated Macrophages

Purpose:CD44 is of functional importance for tumor initiation and progression in colorectal cancer, but how this molecule benefits cancer cells from the tumor microenvironment, especially tumor-associated macrophages (TAM), remains poorly defined. ExperimentalDesign: In vivo tumorigenic assayswere conducted to assess the role ofmurine TAMs in the tumorigenesis of human colorectal cancer cells. Both in vitro and in vivoosteopontin (OPN) expression levels in TAMs were examined by immunohistochemistry, quantitative PCR, and Western blotting. Soft agar colony formation assays were used to estimate the clonogenicity of colorectal cancer cells that had received different treatments. The relationships between the expression levels of OPN, CD44v6, and CD68 and clinical prognosis were evaluated by tissue microarray analysis. Results: We found that macrophages, when coinjected or cocultured with CD44-positive colorectal cancer cells, were able to produce higher levels of OPN, which in turn facilitated the tumorigenicity and clonogenicity of the colorectal cancer cells. The knockdown of CD44 or treatment with blocking antibodies toCD44 attenuatedOPN secretion.OPN, through binding to its receptor CD44, activated c-jun-NH2-kinase signaling and promoted the clonogenicity of colorectal cancer cells. Moreover, tissue microarray data have shown thatOPNexpression, in combinationwith CD44v6, has a negative correlationwith colorectal cancer
Application of Deep Learning in Wireless Signal Identification for Intelligent Channel Sensing

Evolution in technology demands connectivity as a basic requirement, but the frequency spectrum is not an abundant resource. Cognitive radio and cognitive network have been developed to address the under-utilization of the licensed frequency and make it available to use for the unlicensed user. NASA has also adopted cognitive technology for its space communication. The cognitive system relies upon its channel sensing system to make decisions. Our work focused on adding to the channel sensing capability which is a deep neural network approach to recognize the signal modulation type. Along with the NASA SCaN testbed dataset, we trained and tested the neural network model. The results have proven promising in the application for signal identification.