Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
A novel software-defined networking approach for vertical handoff in heterogeneous wireless networks

We propose a novel vertical handoff scheme with the support of the software-defined networking technique for heterogeneous wireless networks. The proposed scheme solves two important issues in vertical handoff: network selection and handoff timing. In this paper, the network selection is formulated as a 0-1 integer programming problem, which maximizes the sum of channel capacities that handoff users can obtain from their new access points. After the network selection process is finished, a user will wait for a time period. Only if the new access point is consistently more appropriate than the current access point during this time period, will the user transfer its inter-network connection to the new access point. Our proposed scheme ensures that a user will transfer to the most appropriate access point at the most appropriate time. Comprehensive simulation has been conducted. It is shown that the proposed scheme reduces the number of vertical handoffs, maximizes the total throughput, and user served ratio significantly. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Prediction interval modeling using Gaussian process quantile regression

In this thesis a methodology to construct prediction intervals for a generic black-box point forecast model is presented. The prediction intervals are learned from the forecasts of the black-box model and the actual realizations of the forecasted variable by using quantile regression on the observed prediction error distribution, the distribution of which is not assumed. An independent meta-model that runs in parallel to the original point forecast model is responsible for learning and generating the prediction intervals, thus requiring no modification to the original setup. This meta-model uses both the inputs and output of the black-box model and calculates a lower and an upper bound for each of its forecasts with the goal that a predefined percentage of future realizations are included in the interval formed by both bounds. Metrics for the performance of the meta-model are established, paying special attention to the conditional interval coverage with respect to both time and the inputs. A series of cases studies are performed to determine the capabilities of this approach and to compare it to standard practices. Thesis supervisor: Moshe E. Ben-Akiva Title: Edmund K. Turner Professor of Civil and Environmental Engineering Thesis supervisor: Francisco C. Pereira Title: Research Affiliate, Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering
Clinicopathologic Characteristics of Hepatitis C Virus-Associated Intrahepatic Cholangiocarcinoma

Background: Although hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is a possible pathogenetic factor for intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (ICC), clinicopathologic features of ICC patients with HCV infection remain unclear. Patients and Methods: Of 50 patients with ICC treated, 19 were infected with HCV (HCV-positive group) and 38 underwent surgical treatment. Clinicopathologic features and postoperative outcome were compared between patients with and without HCV infection. Results: In 15 patients in the HCV-positive group, ICC was detected during follow-up for chronic hepatitis C. The proportion of patients who underwent curative resection was significantly higher in the HCV-positive than in the HCV-negative group, and tumors were significantly smaller in the HCV-positive than in the HCV-negative group. In the HCV-positive group, tumors were significantly smaller in patients who were followed up for chronic hepatitis C than in patients who were not followed up. Although cumulative survival rates did not differ significantly between groups, prognoses of patients with small ICC were significantly better than those with large ICC. Conclusion: Follow-up for patients with chronic hepatitis C by imaging series at regular intervals is important and provides the possibility to detect a small ICC as well as a hepatocellular carcinoma. Resection should be guided by liver function and the tumor stage in patients with HCV-associated ICC.
Direct evidence of monocyte recruitment to inflammatory bowel disease mucosa

Alterations in phenotype and function of intestinal macrophages occur in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) but it is unclear whether these changes result from the recruitment of circulating monocytes to the intestine or from proliferation of resident intestinal macrophages. We sought to demonstrate the arrival of blood monocytes, the precursors of macrophages, in IBD mucosa. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells were isolated from 23 patients with clinically active intestinal inflammation (13 Crohn's disease, eight ulcerative colitis, two infective colitis), then radiolabelled with 99mtechnetium (Tc)‐stannous colloid (n=13) or 111indium (In)‐oxine (n=10) before re‐injection and abdominal scanning. Four patients had demonstrable intestinal monocyte uptake using [99mTc]‐stannous colloid, while six [111In]‐oxine‐labelled monocyte scans were positive. Uptake sites correlated with actively inflamed regions. Patients demonstrating monocyte uptake had been treated with corticosteroids for a significantly (P < 0.02) shorter duration (median 3 vs 20 days) than those with negative scans. There was no significant difference between positive and negative scans for disease category, clinical or histological disease activity, or radioisotope used. Biopsies of inflamed mucosa from two patients suffering ulcerative colitis who had positive scans showed a high proportion of CD14‐positive macrophages, 4–9% of which contained autoradiographic grains. These results demonstrate that blood monocytes are recruited to the mucosa of actively inflamed bowel, and suggest that this process may be inhibited by corticosteroids. Moreover, the phenotype of the recently‐arrived monocytes indicates their susceptibility to stimulation by lipopolysaccharide, and suggests a mechanism for the continuing inflammation in the bacterial product‐rich milieu of IBD.
Silent Death: The Killing of Julie Ramage ; Come with Daddy: Child Murder-Suicide After Family Breakdown [Book Review]

Review(s) of: Silent Death: The Killing of Julie Ramage, by Karen Kissane (Sydney: Hodder, 2006) 384pp, $35.00, Paperback. Review(s) of: Come with Daddy: Child Murder-Suicide After Family Breakdown, by Carolyn Harris Johnson (Perth: University of Western Australia Press, 2005) 158pp, $34.95, Paperback. Includes endnotes. Original item has no pagination.
Sequential optimistic ad-hoc methods for nonstationary multi_armed bandit problem

Abstarct: One of the common ways for showing the trade_off between exploration_exploitation in reinforcement learning problems is the multi_armed bandit problem. In this paper we consider the MABP in a nonstationary environment which features change during the period of learning. The represented learning algorithms are intuition based solutions to the exploration_explotation tarde_off that are called ad hoc method. These methods include action_value methods with e-greedy and softmax action selection rules, the probability matching method and finally the adaptive pursuit method. For producing near optimal results we change the ad hoc methods to sequential optimistic ad hoc methods which provide us completely better results.
The effect of personality traits on adult learners’ vocabulary learning

Personality traits are known as one of the feature of interpersonal communication and the form of communication is most important for social interaction. It never occurs in any to people in exactly the same way. This is the area of personality factors and the relation of personality traits to vocabulary learning. In language learning learner can take the advantage of vocabulary learning through the social interaction. Without profound knowledge of vocabulary learners performance in the language skills will be declined. The present study tried to investigateto find out the result how personality traits effects on learners vocabulary learning for adult learner in Bangladeshi context. To find out the results questionnaires were formed and there was question to take the interview. Based on the learners performance on the questionnaire and interview there are different group of personality traits, like-extravert, introvert, risk-taker, self-confident, conscientiousness, outgoingness, assertiveness, agreeableness etc. It has been reported that assertive, outgoingness, extrovert, risk-taker are the better vocabulary learner rather than the introvert and confined person. The result of this study may help adult Bangladeshi learners to develop their positive personality skills and achieve success in vocabulary learning. This present study tries to investigate the possible impact of personality traits on vocabulary acquisition.
DISim: Ontology-driven simulation of biomedical data integration tasks

The continuous growth in quantity and diversity of life sciences data is triggering several bioinformatics challenges to be able to integrate and select desired information for later study. The majority of these data are scattered through independent systems disregarding interoperability features, which makes data integration processes not a trivial task. Consequently, several ETL (Extract-Transform-and-Load) frameworks have been developed to make data integrations tasks suitable for later exploration studies, providing better solutions for data heterogeneity, diversity and distribution. However, current advanced data integration tasks depend on large and heterogeneous data sources that must be modelled according to the source specifications and network conditions. Furthermore, these automated tasks are significantly dependent of sequential processes that dramatically increase the global request and processing time. Without estimation of the task completion time, the whole research workflow becomes even more challenging. This paper presents DISim, an ontology for data integration simulation, to estimate large and heterogeneous data integration jobs, in order to provide valuable outputs to enhance decision-making scenarios.
Supplement to a Strategic Model of Magical Thinking: Axioms and Analysis

We establish that in the Prisoners' Dilemma, the model of Daley and Sadowski (2014) is logically distinct from three models that employ well-known forms of other-regarding preferences: altruism (Ledyard, 1995; Levine, 1998), inequity aversion (Fehr and Schmidt, 1999), and reciprocity (Rabin, 1993). The paper "A Strategic Model of Magical Thinking: Axioms and Analysis" to which this supplement applies is available at the following URL: http://ssrn.com/abstract=2507377
Control and Guidance of Low-Cost Robots via Gesture Perception for Monitoring Activities in the Home

This paper describes the development of a low-cost mini-robot that is controlled by visual gestures. The prototype allows a person with disabilities to perform visual inspections indoors and in domestic spaces. Such a device could be used as the operator's eyes obviating the need for him to move about. The robot is equipped with a motorised webcam that is also controlled by visual gestures. This camera is used to monitor tasks in the home using the mini-robot while the operator remains quiet and motionless. The prototype was evaluated through several experiments testing the ability to use the mini-robot’s kinematics and communication systems to make it follow certain paths. The mini-robot can be programmed with specific orders and can be tele-operated by means of 3D hand gestures to enable the operator to perform movements and monitor tasks from a distance.
The Gender Nonconformity Theory: A Comprehensive Approach to Break Down the Maternal Wall and End Discrimination Against Gender Benders

Recent studies indicate that many female workers are hitting the maternal wall because employers often presume that mothers are natural caregivers and are incapable of fulfilling the role of ideal worker. Similarly, some male employees, who are fighting to dismantle traditional norms about the proper role of working fathers, are being denied family leave benefits automatically granted to new mothers. When these mothers and fathers bring employment discrimination actions, they meet with mixed success. Even feminist theorists cannot agree about how women can best be protected from discrimination and achieve equality. "Difference feminists" believe that the ideal worker norm, which is not designed with the child bearing/child rearing mother in mind, undervalues activities typically associated with women and it is this norm that must be challenged. "Sameness feminists" believe that women will be empowered by giving them greater access to traditional masculine roles and feminist energies should be focused on shattering the glass ceiling so that women are truly allowed access to the same opportunities offered to men. This article proposes that different feminist groups join forces together and with queer theorists to develop a theoretical approach that can be used to dismantle glass ceilings, accommodate mothers and fathers who fail to meet the traditional norms of caregiver and breadwinner, and effectively challenge discriminatory employment practices based on sex, gender, sexual orientation and sexual identity discrimination. Feminists and LGBT advocates should focus their energies on developing the gender nonconformity theory that has been gaining acceptance in a number of federal and state courts. This theory has the most promise for eliminating all types of discrimination "because of sex. "
Connaissances politiques et participation politique à l’ère numérique: ce que change l’internet

Cet article interroge le processus de politisation des pratiques numeriques ordinaires ainsi que son role dans la formation des nouveaux collectifs contestataires. L’interet de ce travail est constitue par le choix d’un cadre d’analyse original visant a souligner la complementarite entre des perspectives theoriques rarement mises en regard. En encourageant un rapprochement entre la sociologie des mouvements sociaux, la Theorie critique et les travaux portant sur les pratiques informationnelles, l’auteur elabore une approche nouvelle de la mobilisation informationnelle non plus uniquement axee sur l’usage militant des medias mais sur l’emergence d’une posture de plus en plus engagee du citoyen face au monde informationnel. Tout en adoptant une approche critique, ce travail revele l’importance revetue par les « pratiques info-communicationnelles resistantes » dans les processus de mobilisation et de construction des nouveaux cadres contestataires.
Age of Acquisition Effects in Deaf College Students

Age of Acquisition (AoA) refers to the age at which a word is first learnt, which is an important variable that has recently drawn considerable attention as a determinant of lexical processing. A large number of studies have found that words acquired earlier in life are processed more efficiently than words acquired late in life. Several hypotheses have been proposed to explain the origin of the AoA effects. One of these hypotheses is the Semantic Hypothesis, which assumes that at least parts of the AoA effect originate from the semantic system. the AoA effects could be partially produced within semantic processing system effect because it can eliminates phonological factors in deaf to some extent.
Selective BRAFV600E Inhibitor PLX4720, Requires TRAIL Assistance to Overcome Oncogenic PIK3CA Resistance

Documented sensitivity of melanoma cells to PLX4720, a selective BRAFV600E inhibitor, is based on the presence of mutant BRAFV600E alone, while wt-BRAF or mutated KRAS result in cell proliferation. In colon cancer appearance of oncogenic alterations is complex , since BRAF, like KRAS mutations, tend to co-exist with those in PIK3CA and mutated PI3K has been shown to interfere with the successful application of MEK inhibitors. When PLX4720 was used to treat colon tumours, results were not encouraging and herein we attempt to understand the cause of this recorded resistance and discover rational therapeutic combinations to resensitize oncogene driven tumours to apoptosis. Treatment of two genetically different BRAFV600E mutant colon cancer cell lines with PLX4720 conferred complete resistance to cell death. Even though p-MAPK/ ERK kinase (MEK) suppression was achieved, TRAIL, an apoptosis inducing agent, was used synergistically in order to achieve cell death by apoptosis in RKOBRAFV600E/PIK3CAH1047 cells. In contrast, for the same level of apoptosis in HT29BRAFV600E/PIK3CAP449T cells, TRAIL was combined with 17-AAG, an Hsp90 inhibitor. For cells where PLX4720 was completely ineffective, 17-AAG was alternatively used to target mutant BRAFV600E. TRAIL dependence on the constitutive activation of BRAFV600E is emphasised through the overexpression of BRAFV600E in the permissive genetic background of colon adenocarcinoma Caco-2 cells. Pharmacological suppression of the PI3K pathway further enhances the synergistic effect between TRAIL and PLX4720 in RKO cells, indicating the presence of PIK3CAMT as the inhibitory factor. Another rational combination includes 17-AAG synergism with TRAIL in a BRAFV600E mutant dependent manner to commit cells to apoptosis, through DR5 and the amplification of the apoptotic pathway. We have successfully utilised combinations of two chemically unrelated BRAFV600E inhibitors in combination with TRAIL in a BRAFV600E mutated background and provided insight for new anti-cancer strategies where the activated PI3KCA mutation oncogene should be suppressed.
Prevalence of Primary Cornea guttata and Morphology of Corneal Endothelium in Aging Japanese and Singaporean Subjects

The purpose of the present study was to examine, in the aging people, racial and gender differences in the morphology of corneal endothelium as well as the incidence of cornea guttata in two Asian subject groups, one in Singapore and the other in Japan. Four hundred and sixty-five Chinese Singaporeans and 299 Japanese subjects (residents of Monzen-machi, Ishikawa Prefecture) aged 50 years and older were recruited for the study. Corneal endothelial abnormalities were diagnosed with slit-lamp biomicroscopy and specular microscopy. Primary cornea guttata appeared as beaten metal appearance in slit-lamp images and dark regions in specular images. In addition to cornea guttata, corneal endothelial morphology was also analysed with specular microscopy. The mean cell density was 2,808/mm2 in the Japanese subjects which was significantly higher than the 2,718/mm2 seen in the Singaporeans (p < 0.001). The incidence of cornea guttata was significantly higher in the Singaporeans than in the Japanese individuals and also higher in women than in men of both racial groups. These differences support not only a racial and a gender factor but also a possible environmental influence.
Quantifying the financial impact of IT security breaches

Internet security is a pervasive concern for all companies. However, developing the business case to support investments in IT security has been particularly challenging because of difficulties in precisely quantifying the economic impact of a breach. Previous studies have attempted to quantify the magnitude of losses resulting from a breach in IT security, but reliance on self‐reported company data has resulted in widely varying estimates of limited credibility. Employing an event study methodology, this study offers an alternative approach and more rigorous evaluation of breaches in IT security. This attempt has revealed several new perspectives concerning the market reaction to IT security breaches. A final component of the study is the extension of the analysis to incorporate eSecurity vendors and a fuller exploration of market reactions before and after the denial of service attacks of February 2000. The key takeaway for corporate IT decision makers is that IT security breaches are extremely costly, and that the stock market has already factored in some level of optimal IT security investment by companies.
A provably secure RFID authentication protocol based on elliptic curve signature with message recovery suitable for m‐Health environments

Radio frequency identification (RFID) is a promising wireless emerging technology for automatic objects identification. This technology is widely deployed in numerous applications and is becoming popular in health‐care environments. Many health‐care services, such as patient monitoring, drug administration systems, and telecare medicine information systems, are automated and powered by the RFID technology. This rigorous redeployment is done to improve the quality and effectiveness of patient care and many other aspects. Henceforth, the confidentiality and privacy of the personal electronic health‐care information become progressively challenging. In this context, with more and more significant and rigorous security requirements, elliptic curve cryptography has been intensively suggested to design efficient RFID authentication protocols. In this paper, we propose a secure mobile RFID authentication protocol to increase the safety of the patient data records and the work efficiency of medical staff. Our proposal uses the elliptic curve signature with message recovery. To the best of our knowledge, it is the first time the elliptic curve signature with message recovery signature is introduced for RFID medical applications. The proposed protocol is validated using field programmable gate arrays) technology. In addition, via formal and informal security analysis, we show that our proposal could solve security weaknesses of some previously proposed protocols, provide mobility, privacy, scalability, and can be adapted for multiserver environment.
Getting Inside Rehearsals

In recent years, work in practice-based teacher education has focused on identifying and elaborating how teacher educators (TEs) use pedagogies of enactment to learn in and from practice. However, research on these pedagogies is still in its early development. Building on prior analyses, this article elaborates a particular pedagogy of enactment, rehearsal, developed through a collaboration of elementary mathematics TEs across three institutions. Rehearsals are embedded within learning cycles that provide repeated opportunities for novice teachers (NTs) to investigate, reflect on, and enact teaching through coached feedback. This article shares a set of insights gained from 5 years of developing, studying, and learning how to support NTs’ enactment in rehearsal. The insights we share in this article contribute to building a knowledge base for pedagogies of teacher education.