Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Security Protocols with Isotropic Channels

We investigate the security properties of isotropic channels, broadcast media in which a receiver cannot reliably determine whether a message originated from any particular sender and a sender cannot reliably direct a message away from any particular receiver. We show that perfect isotropism implies perfect (information-theoretic) secrecy, and that asymptotically close to perfect secrecy can be achieved on any channel that provides some (bounded) uncertainty as to sender identity. We give isotropic security protocols under both passive and active adversary models, and discuss the practicality of realizing isotropic channels over various media.
Hip hiking and circumduction: quantitative definitions.

OBJECTIVE To define and propose clinically useful quantitative measurements of hip hiking and circumduction using standard three-dimensional motion analysis techniques. DESIGN We studied pelvic, hip, and thigh motions in 23 subjects with hemiparetic, stiff-legged gait as a result of stroke and compared these motions with those obtained from 23 able-bodied controls. RESULTS We observed significantly increased hip abduction on the unaffected limb during stance, with simultaneous elevation of the affected side of the pelvis during swing. We define these differences as hip hiking and, thus, can quantify the degree to which hip hiking occurs by measuring the unaffected coronal hip angle and/or the coronal pelvic angle when the affected limb is in midswing. We also observed a greater than normal coronal thigh angle during midswing of the affected limb that we can use to quantitatively define circumduction. Of note, hip abduction during swing was not increased on the affected swing limb, compared with the control. CONCLUSIONS Hip hiking can be defined precisely as unaffected coronal hip and/or pelvic angle when the affected limb is in midswing and circumduction can be defined as greater than normal coronal thigh angle during midswing of the affected limb. These precise definitions should allow us to better communicate and understand the implications of these gait patterns, and can serve as the basis for clinically meaningful quantitative assessment and outcome measurement tools.
Inverse relation between levels of anti-oxidized-LDL antibodies and eicosapentanoic acid (EPA)

Oxidative modification of LDL is thought to play an important role in the development of atherosclerosis. Susceptibility of LDL to peroxidation may partly depend on the compositional characteristics of the antioxidant and fatty acid content. The aim of this study was to examine the association between levels of antibodies to oxidized LDL and the various serum fatty acids in women. A total of 465 women aged 18–65 years were selected randomly from the adult population census of Pizarra, a town in southern Spain. Measurement of anti-oxidized-LDL was done by ELISA and the fatty acid composition of serum phospholipids was determined by GC. The levels of anti-oxidized-LDL antibodies were significantly related with age (r − 0·341, P < 0·001), BMI (r − 0·239, P < 0·001), waist:hip ratio (r − 0·285, P < 0·001), glucose (r − 0·208, P < 0·001), cholesterol (r − 0·243, P < 0·001), LDL-cholesterol (r − 0·185, P = 0·002), EPA (r − 0·159, P = 0·003), DHA (r − 0·121, P = 0·026), and the sum of the serum phospholipid n-3 PUFA (r − 0·141, P = 0·009). Multiple regression analysis showed that the variables that explained the behaviour of the levels of anti-oxidized-LDL antibodies were age (P < 0·001) and the serum phospholipid EPA (P < 0·001). This study showed that the fatty acid composition of serum phospholipids, and especially the percentage of EPA, was inversely related with the levels of anti-oxidized-LDL antibodies.
The role of agrin in synapse formation.

The precise, rapid, and ordered communication between neurons and their targets is the distinguishing characteristic of the nervous system. Chemical synapses are the primary locus of this information exchange, and the structural and molecular specializations essential for their proper functioning are under­ stood in considerable detail (reviewed in Jessell & Kandel 1993, Stevens 1993). In contrast, much less is known about how synaptic structure is regulated during development and regeneration. Such structural changes may also me­ diate important aspects of synaptic plasticity in learning and memory (Bliss & Collingridge 1993, Lisman & Harris 1993). Most of our knowledge of synaptogenesis has come from studying the neuromuscular junction. A search for the mechanisms underlying differentia­ tion at this synapse has focussed on three molecular systems: the cytoskeleton and its associated membrane proteins, trophic factors, and a specific extracel­ lular matrix component, agrin. Recent reviews have dealt with the overall process of synaptogenesis and with the contribution of the cytoskeleton and trophic factors (Salpeter 1987, Falls et al 1993, Froehner 1993, Hall & Sanes 1993). Here we focus on agrin, which is likely to play a central role in signaling and regulating the differentiation of the postsynaptic apparatus at the neuro­ muscular junction (Nastuk & Fallon 1993). In addition, we also discuss the mounting evidence suggesting an analogous role for agrin in the CNS.
Commentary: random variability of quantitative characteristics, an intangible epigenomic product, supporting adaptation.

The paper I wrote over 20 years ago, reprinted in this issue of the IJE, 1 confirmed observations indicating a third causal component for the random variability of quantitative biological characteristics beside genotype and environment. This ‘third’ component had previously been described 2 and named ‘intangible variance’. My paper revealed that intangible variance results from physiological processes, prior to the third cell division, that stipulate differential further development of any zygote. The nature of those processes remains unclear. In the following commentary, I discuss investigations subsequent to my original paper. These have served: (i) to clarify the hypothesis that the origin of intangible variance is at the early embryonic stage; and (ii) further to characterize this intangible variance by means of studies on the individual differences between isogenic inbred rats and mice. These individual differences concern the normal distribution of many quantitative characteristics; their significance for habitual abortion; and individual differences in behavioural characteristics, stress–response characteristics and the course of infections among adults. Subsequent investigations have also considered: (iii) if intangible variance supports evolutionary advantage; and (iv) if it arises by modifications of the epigenome during early zygote stages.
Achieving external validity in home advantage research: generalizing crowd noise effects

Different factors have been postulated to explain the home advantage phenomenon in sport. One plausible explanation investigated has been the influence of a partisan home crowd on sports officials' decisions. Different types of studies have tested the crowd influence hypothesis including purposefully designed experiments. However, while experimental studies investigating crowd influences have high levels of internal validity, they suffer from a lack of external validity; decision-making in a laboratory setting bearing little resemblance to decision-making in live sports settings. This focused review initially considers threats to external validity in applied and theoretical experimental research. Discussing how such threats can be addressed using representative design by focusing on a recently published study that arguably provides the first experimental evidence of the impact of live crowd noise on officials in sport. The findings of this controlled experiment conducted in a real tournament setting offer a level of confirmation of the findings of laboratory studies in the area. Finally directions for future research and the future conduct of crowd noise studies are discussed.
Case-based Learning Methods with 3d Interactive Multimedia for Millennial Generation Engineering Students

Millennial generation students are interested in an integrated, simultaneously analytical, computational, interactive, as well as practical, real-world-focused, customized education. They expect a large number of choices, because they understand the power of simulation. They are very visually focused, because this is the video gaming generation. They want personalized, customized products, processes and service, and their education process is not an exception. They look for technical details, and want to see it all; immediately, and virtually.They look for good quality and low cost and ease of use, and interactivity, because there is NO time to read traditional manuals and static textbooks… They like to continuously explore, browse the web, watch interactive, rather than linear videos, explore multimedia-based publications, versus static textbooks, and always experiment, rather than follow the traditional path. They also have less need and desire to conform. They expect instant gratification. They are often impatient, and therefore want it immediately… The benefits of introducing problems for students to solve using cases in a browser-readable 3DVR (3D Virtual Reality) interactive multimedia format are manifold. The entire learning process becomes more student-versus lecture-or tutor-centered. Students can learn by exploring versus being told, and can have as many goes at solving a problem, or exploring an idea, taking as much time as desired or is available. Mistakes made can be corrected without penalties. Multimedia tools, and a variety of web-compatible, interactive 3D media, are available during the learning process. Within our cases self-assessment is possible. This means that students become more self-critical as they participate directly in their own learning process. Team, group and class assessment is integrated into every module of our programs (supported by active code spreadsheets, computer programs, often with embedded 3D objects, video-clips and animations) that the students can interrogate to understand either the question(s) or the answers better. The important observation about millennial generation students is that all of the noted attributes should be respected, and that the education system should adjust to delivering these customer expectations at a high quality level. In this paper 2 some tested pedagogical as well as advanced educational technology methods and tools are discussed, and demonstrated to satisfy the above requirements for both live and eLearning / distance learning (DL) classes.
Chapter 11 The Choices that Minorities Make: Strategies of Negotiation with the Majority in Postwar Bosnia- Herzegovina 1

This paper investigates how urban minorities in chiefly Bosniak areas of Bosnia negotiate with members of the majority group. Based on intensive interviews, participant observation, and analysis of surveys, it also explores the factors that facilitate everyday interaction. It finds that urban minorities reach out to ordinary members of the majority in the workplace, where there are opportunities for repeated interaction with “others” as professionals, allowance for individualism, and few expectations for the forming of intimate ties with “others. ” It is in this is the type of context that minorities can engage in mutual help and downplay essentialist identifications, which helps build bridging links to “others. ” Minorities rarely approach more distant local voluntary organizations, except in cases where they seek expert knowledge for mediated interaction with majority authorities. This exploratory study challenges the assumptions of some students of civil society and suggests increased assistance for mixed workplaces.
A Genome-wide Scan for Selective Sweeps in Racing Horses

Using next-generation sequencing, we conducted a genome-wide scan of selective sweeps associated with selection toward genetic improvement in Thoroughbreds. We investigated potential phenotypic consequence of putative candidate loci by candidate gene association mapping for the finishing time in 240 Thoroughbred horses. We found a significant association with the trait for Ral GApase alpha 2 (RALGAP2) that regulates a variety of cellular processes of signal trafficking. Neighboring genes around RALGAP2 included insulinoma-associated 1 (INSM1), pallid (PLDN), and Ras and Rab interactor 2 (RIN2) genes have similar roles in signal trafficking, suggesting that a co-evolving gene cluster located on the chromosome 22 is under strong artificial selection in racehorses.
A Study of Benefits in Object Based Storage Systems

The fundamental storage component in Object based storage system (OBS) is an Object [5]. Object interface of OBS provides prominent storage service and metadata abstraction to various application classes on single platform. The Object interface also offers performance gain and security features in storage systems [6]. This paper focuses on the benefits involved in OBS such as native security, scalability and dynamic reconfiguration.
Polymorphisms in the Interleukin 18 Receptor 1 Gene and Tuberculosis Susceptibility among Chinese

Tuberculosis (TB), an infectious disease caused by infection of Mycobacterium tuberculosis, is a major public health challenge globally. Genetic epidemiological evidence suggests a genetic basis for TB, but the molecular mechanism for a genetic predisposition to TB remains largely unknown. Thirty-five tag single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) across 11 candidate cytokines and related genes, including IL-12/IFN-γ axis genes (IL12B, IL12RB1, IL18R1, IL27, IFNGR1, IFNGR2 and STAT1), the TNF gene locus (TNF and LTA), IL10, and CCL2, were genotyped using Sequenom's iPLEX assays in 1,032 patients with TB and 1,008 controls of Chinese Han origin. We did not find that any of the 35 tag SNPs individually or as haplotypes was significantly associated with susceptibility to TB, on the basis of multivariable logistic regression analysis with adjustment for age and sex. However, stratification analyses showed that, in those with age 46 years or older, carrying the rs1974675 T allele in the IL18R1 gene had a significantly decreased susceptibility to TB occurrence compared with carrying the C/C genotype (OR = 0.57, P = 5.0×10−4). Further analysis indicated that a SNP in absolute linkage disequilibrium with rs1974675, rs3755276, is located within a CpG dinucleotide and showed hypomethylation in controls than in patients (19.6% vs. 31.4%; P = 1.0×10−4) and genotype-specific DNA methylation at the IL18R1 promoter and IL18R1 mRNA levels. In addition, DNA methylation levels were significantly inversely correlated with mRNA levels. Thus, decreased mRNA levels of IL18R1 due to rs3755276 may partially mediate the increased susceptibility to TB risk.
The Effect of a Loading Dose (300 mg) of Clopidogrel on Platelet Function in Patients with Peripheral Arterial Disease

Clopidogrel acts on the P2Y12 adenosine diphosphate (ADP) purinergic receptors on human platelets. The aim of this study was to establish if a loading dose of clopidogrel inhibits platelet activation in patients with peripheral arterial disease (PAD). Two indices of platelet activation were considered: platelet shape change (PSC) and aggregation. Citrated blood was collected from ten PAD patients who were not on aspirin, at baseline (0 hours) and 2 and 4 hours after these patients ingested a loading dose (300 mg) of clopidogrel. ADP (5,mol/L)-induced platelet aggregation in whole blood was inhibited after 2 hours (free platelet count, 47% ± 19% vs. 68% ± 15%; p < 0.001) and 4 hours (47% ± 19% vs. 66% ± 16%; p 5 0.001). There was also a significant inhibition of 5-hydroxytrypta-mine (5HT, 5.0 Amol/L)-induced platelet aggregation at 2 hours. This trend was also observed for 10-,umol/L ADP-induced aggregation. ADP (0.3-0.4 /imol/L)-induced PSC was significantly inhibited at 4 hours (increase in median platelet volume, 6.3%, 1.8-10.7 vs. 1.2%, 0-5.3; p = 0.01). 5HT (0.5 /Lmol/L)-induced PSC at 4 hours was also significantly inhibited (8.1, 5.3-10.6 vs. 3.0, 0-8.2; p = 0.03). A loading dose of clopidogrel (300 mg) inhibits platelet activation in PAD patients, as early as 2 hours. To the authors' knowledge, no other study considered the effect of a loading dose of clopidogrel in PAD.
Geometry and topology of bubble solutions from gauge theory

We study how geometrical and topological aspects of certain 1 -BPS type IIB supergravity solutions are captured by the N = 4 Super Yang-Mills gauge theory in the AdS/CFT context. The type IIB solutions are completely characterized by arbitrary droplets in a plane and we consider, in particular, concentric droplets. We probe the dual 1 -BPS operators of the gauge theory with single traces and extract their one-loop anomalous dimensions. The action of the one-loop dilatation operator can be reformulated as the Hamiltonian of a bosonic lattice. The operators defining the Hamiltonian encode the topology of the droplet. The axial symmetry of the droplets turns out to be essential for obtaining the spectrum of the Hamiltonians. In appropriate BMN limits, the near-BPS spectrum reproduces the spectrum of near-BPS string excitations propagating along each individual edge of the droplet of the dual geometric background. We also study semiclassical regimes for the Hamiltonians. We show that for droplets having disconnected constituents, the Hamiltonian admits different complimentary semiclassical descriptions, each one replicating the semiclassical description for closed strings extending in each of the constituents.
The revising processes of sixth-grade writers with and without peer feedback.

AbstractThe primary purpose of this study was to examine the effect of peer feedback on the quality of student writing and the amount and kind of revision behavior. Ninety-three sixth graders in six intact classrooms wrote and revised six stories, the last one being used as data for this study. Instruction varied across groups in the following manner: RI/PP students received revision instruction and revised stories with a peer; PP students revised stories with a peer but did not receive revision instruction; RI students received revision instruction but revised stories alone; C students had neither revision instruction nor help from peers. Chi-square analysis indicated that revision behavior was influenced by instruction. Quality of writing analysis revealed significant differences across groups on both rough and final drafts. Peer feedback seemed to help students write initially superior rough drafts but was not consistently linked to improvement of content between rough and final drafts. Successful surf.
Educating for Teacher Growth: A Cognitive-Developmental Perspective.

Lois Thies-Sprinthall St. Cloud State University St. Cloud, Minnesota Teacher education in the eyes of some of its kindest critics is at best a reluctant giant. While there is an extensive body of research on the teachinglearning process itself, there is a major lacuna on the process of teacher education. Gage (1978) and Good (1979), among others, have pointed out through a version of meta-analysis that a growing number of major propositions vis-a-vis teaching are supported by both theory and research. As a result, this knowledge base can be formed into a framework as guidelines for the teaching process. It is certainly not complete. There is no need to dose down the Patent Office section on research in teaching. Yet, on the other hand, there is direction, evidence, and cumulative information.
Peut-on parler d'« activation » de la protection sociale en Europe ?

Jean-Claude Barbier : Kann man von einer « Aktivierung » der Sozialversicherung in Europa sprechen ? ; ; In den letzten zehn Jahren wurden in der Europaischen Gemeinschaft Reformen eingefuhrt mit dem Zweck, die Leistungen fur Arbeitslosigkeit oder Beihilfe enger mit der Aktivitat auf dem Arbeitsmarkt zu verbinden. Die Grenze zwischen Beschaftigungspolitik, Sozialpolitik und Steuerpolitik verwischt sich. Diese « Aktivierung » der Sozialversicherung zeigt jedoch in den verschiedenen Landern sehr unterschiedliche Zuge, die schliesslich in zwei Idealtypen ausgedruckt werden konnen, das liberale Regime und das universalistische Regime der Aktivierung. Sozialstaatenfamilien zeigen unterschiedliche Zusammenstellungslogiken dieser Zuge auf. Das Gemeinschaftsniveau zeigt sich hauptsachlich in der Verbreitung von Interpretierungsdenkrahmen der Wirtschaftsprobleme : es verbreitet eine Naherung der orthodoxen Wirtschaft, die die Aktivierung als einen Hebel fur eine Sozialpolitik ansieht, die der Wirtschaftspolitik untergeordnet ist.
Development from within academe: Eschewing imperialism, managerialism and missionary zeal?

Abstract In the current turbulent environment as we face pressures for efficiency and commercialization, good intentions will not be sufficient. Reflection on what the future holds for us is timely. In this article two case examples of academic development, drawn from the experience of staff at The Australian National University's Centre for Educational Development and Academic Methods, are presented and analysed. A key issue for the field of academic development emerging from this critical examination of the cases is how units and those working in them are positioned in relation to academic colleagues, academic practitioners, and senior officers who are university leaders and managers. Through the case studies and discussion the article explores issues of our location; it concludes that reflection on our models and theories, and critical rethinking of our practice, are essential first steps in deciding on our own professional development.
Analyzing Human High-Fives to Create an Effective High-Fiving Robot

Creating a robot that can teach humans simple interactive tasks such as high-fiving requires research at the intersection of physical human-robot interaction (PHRI) and socially assistive robotics. This paper shows how observation of natural human-human interaction can improve the design of requirements for social-physical robots and form a framework for autonomous execution of interactive physical tasks. Eleven pairs of human subjects were recruited to perform a set of high-fiving games; a magnetic motion tracker and an accelerometer were mounted to each person's hand for the duration of the experiment, and each subject completed several questionnaires about the experience. The results reveal valuable clues about the generally positive feelings of the participants and the movement of their hands during play. We discuss how we plan to use these results to create a robot that can teach humans similar high-fiving games.