Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Privad : Practical Privacy in Online Advertising Paper # 82 , 14 pages

Online advertising is a major economic force in the Internet today. The revenue from well-targeted ad placement underlies the lucrative business models of many online services i ncluding search, email, social networks and, indirectly, IS Ps and data centers. Today’s deployments, however, erode privacy and degrade performance as browsers wait for ad networks to deliver ads. We present Privad, a practical private online advertising system. Privad serves ads from the endhost; this is attractive from three standpoints — privac y, profit, and performance. Tracking the user’s profile on their computer and not at a third-party improves privacy. Better targeting and potentially lower operating costs can improve profits. And relying more on the local endhost rather than a distant central third-party improves performance. A n anonymizing proxy hides the network address of the client, while encryption prevents the proxy from viewing client mes sages. The system design and security analysis presented in this paper cover all aspects of a practical and deployable sy stem, including ad dissemination, ad auctions, view and clic k reporting, and click-fraud detection. As proof of concept, we have implemented Privad and deployed it on a small scale. We argue in this paper that, while Privad’s security is not bulletproof, it substantially improves on the status quo, a nd represents a legitimate alternative to today’s centralize d ad networks.
Dynamic Bayesian Networks for Transliteration Discovery and Generation

This project is involved with extraction and transliteration of entity names between languages that use different writing systems (or alphabets). Extraction involves the automatic identification of sequences in parallel/comparable corpora/text that can be considered as proper entity names. On the other hand, transliteration generation involves automatic transformation of a source language name to a target language name across different writing systems while ensuring that pronunciation is maintained during and after the process. Bilingual entity name recognition and / or transliteration are processes aimed at improving performance in various Natural Language Processing (NLP) applications including: Machine Translation (MT), Cross Language Information Retrieval (CLIR), and Cross Language Information Extraction (CLIE). As an example, in recognition, there has been a growing interest in recognizing variations for the same entity name across different languages (Hsu et al. in both the source language that uses the Cyrillic alphabet and target languages that use the Roman alphabet. The presence of variations for the same entity may lead to incomplete search results and cause communication problems in a larger community of language users (Hsu et al., 2007). In medication, identification of drug names that look similar has been Source in Russian that uses the Cyrillic alphabet Transliterations in languages that use the Roman alphabet Table 1.1 Example illustrating variations for the same name both its source language and languages to which it was transliterated (Source: NewsExplorer Website 1) 1 NewsExplorer website can be accessed via Mbale is a town on the slopes of Mountain Elgon in Eastern Uganda Мбале является городом на склонах горных Elgon в Восточной Уганде Table 1.2: Example illustrating translation of a phrase with an Out of Vocabulary word found to be very helpful in reducing drug prescription errors (Kondrak and Dorr, 2004). To stress the need for machine transliteration, table 1.2 shows a problem where a machine translation system (Google 2 translate engine) encounters a new entity name " Elgon " in English for which it can not translate in a target language (Russian). Such a situation arises because the translation system does not have this word in its translation dictionary or lexicon. Machine transliteration is one of the best approaches to help deal with Out Of Vocabulary (OOV) problems. This report proposes work in the framework of Dynamic Bayesian Networks (DBNs) in which various model spaces are investigated with the aim of improving entity name recognition and machine transliteration across different writing …
Big Data Sensors of Organic Advocacy: The Case of Leonardo DiCaprio and Climate Change

The strategies that experts have used to share information about social causes have historically been top-down, meaning the most influential messages are believed to come from planned events and campaigns. However, more people are independently engaging with social causes today than ever before, in part because online platforms allow them to instantaneously seek, create, and share information. In some cases this “organic advocacy” may rival or even eclipse top-down strategies. Big data analytics make it possible to rapidly detect public engagement with social causes by analyzing the same platforms from which organic advocacy spreads. To demonstrate this claim we evaluated how Leonardo DiCaprio’s 2016 Oscar acceptance speech citing climate change motivated global English language news (Bloomberg Terminal news archives), social media (Twitter postings) and information seeking (Google searches) about climate change. Despite an insignificant increase in traditional news coverage (54%; 95%CI: -144 to 247), tweets including the terms “climate change” or “global warming” reached record highs, increasing 636% (95%CI: 573–699) with more than 250,000 tweets the day DiCaprio spoke. In practical terms the “DiCaprio effect” surpassed the daily average effect of the 2015 Conference of the Parties (COP) and the Earth Day effect by a factor of 3.2 and 5.3, respectively. At the same time, Google searches for “climate change” or “global warming” increased 261% (95%CI, 186–335) and 210% (95%CI 149–272) the day DiCaprio spoke and remained higher for 4 more days, representing 104,190 and 216,490 searches. This increase was 3.8 and 4.3 times larger than the increases observed during COP’s daily average or on Earth Day. Searches were closely linked to content from Dicaprio’s speech (e.g., “hottest year”), as unmentioned content did not have search increases (e.g., “electric car”). Because these data are freely available in real time our analytical strategy provides substantial lead time for experts to detect and participate in organic advocacy while an issue is salient. Our study demonstrates new opportunities to detect and aid agents of change and advances our understanding of communication in the 21st century media landscape.
BZLF1 Governs CpG-Methylated Chromatin of Epstein-Barr Virus Reversing Epigenetic Repression

Epigenetic mechanisms are essential for the regulation of all genes in mammalian cells but transcriptional repression including DNA methylation are also major epigenetic mechanisms of defense inactivating potentially harmful pathogens. Epstein-Barr Virus (EBV), however, has evolved to take advantage of CpG methylated DNA to regulate its own biphasic life cycle. We show here that latent EBV DNA has an extreme composition of methylated CpG dinucleotides with a bimodal distribution of unmethylated or fully methylated DNA at active latent genes or completely repressed lytic promoters, respectively. We find this scenario confirmed in primary EBV-infected memory B cells in vivo. Extensive CpG methylation of EBV's DNA argues for a very restricted gene expression during latency. Above-average nucleosomal occupancy, repressive histone marks, and Polycomb-mediated epigenetic silencing further shield early lytic promoters from activation during latency. The very tight repression of viral lytic genes must be overcome when latent EBV enters its lytic phase and supports de novo virus synthesis in infected cells. The EBV-encoded and AP-1 related transcription factor BZLF1 overturns latency and initiates virus synthesis in latently infected cells. Paradoxically, BZLF1 preferentially binds to CpG-methylated motifs in key viral promoters for their activation. Upon BZLF1 binding, we find nucleosomes removed, Polycomb repression lost, and RNA polymerase II recruited to the activated early promoters promoting efficient lytic viral gene expression. Surprisingly, DNA methylation is maintained throughout this phase of viral reactivation and is no hindrance to active transcription of extensively CpG methylated viral genes as thought previously. Thus, we identify BZLF1 as a pioneer factor that reverses epigenetic silencing of viral DNA to allow escape from latency and report on a new paradigm of gene regulation.
Simulation of temperature measurement system for grain storage based on ZigBee technology

Nowadays, the applications of WSNs are many and varied, and the applications in agriculture are still incipient. In this paper, we explore the feasibility of ZigBee technology for the measurement system in large-scale barns. According to traditional grain-temperature monitoring system and theory on attenuation of radio frequencies in grain, we propose the grain-temperature monitoring system using ZigBee technology. To evaluate the feasibility and the challenges of develop this system, some simulating experiments were designed. The results show that with the right selection of parameters it is an alternative solution to grain-temperature monitoring system using ZigBee technology and some future work also need to be done to optimize this system.
New developments in neuroscience can benefit the learning and performance of music

ABSTRACT As advancements in neuroscience increasingly illuminate the traditional understanding of the human mind, many of the new insights are also of relevance to musicians as well as to music pedagogy. Especially the greater understanding of how intersubjective processes are integral to the development of the right brain has shown how, according to the neuropsychoanalyst Allan Schore, right-brain models can bridge the fields of psychiatry, music and trauma. Following a short introduction, the article discusses the development of ego boundaries and their relevance to young aspiring musicians as well as the close relation to self-esteem. This is followed by a short explanation of the psychodynamic processes underlying interpersonal interaction and relation. Right-brain function in development and trauma is discussed and its links to music are highlighted; the issue of fear and learned helplessness in musicians is also considered briefly. A discussion on the impact of fear on musicians’ memory follows. The paper concludes by showing that, while brain pathology can be associated with creativity, creative processes in and of themselves are not pathological. Throughout, special reference is made to aspects that have particular relevance to previously disadvantaged music learners.
A New Evolution Model of Community Based on Improved DLA in Complex Networks

Community structure is one of the most important characteristics in complex networks. The formation of clusters in fractal system has the characteristics of randomness and self-similarity, which is similar to the process of community evolution in complex networks. In this paper, using the classical model DLA (Diffusion-limited Aggregation) in fractal technology, a new evolution model of community based on improved DLA in complex networks is proposed. This model is used to simulate the dynamic community evolutionary process in actual world. The simulation results show that the network generated by this presented model has distinct community structure and the characteristic of small-world, i.e., small average path length and big average clustering coefficient. With the expanding of network scale, under the condition of the same node number, the network which is generated from this model with more number of communities in initialization will have shorter average path length and bigger average clustering coefficient than the one with less number of communities in initialization.
Vascular Damage in Patients with Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease: Possible Role of Iron and Ferritin

Non Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (NAFLD) is the most common chronic liver disease in Western countries. Recent data indicated that NAFLD is a risk factor by itself contributing to the development of cardiovascular disease independently of classical known risk factors. Hyperferritinemia and mild increased iron stores are frequently observed in patients with NAFLD and several mechanisms have been proposed to explain the role of iron, through oxidative stress and interaction with insulin metabolism, in the development of vascular damage. Moreover, iron depletion has been shown to decrease atherogenesis in experimental models and in humans. This review presents the recent evidence on epidemiology, pathogenesis, and the possible explanation of the role of iron and ferritin in the development of cardiovascular damage in patients with NAFLD, and discusses the possible interplay between metabolic disorders associated with NAFLD and iron in the development of cardiovascular disease.
Impact of Cocoa Consumption on Inflammation Processes—A Critical Review of Randomized Controlled Trials

Background: Cocoa flavanols have strong anti-inflammatory properties in vitro. If these also occur in vivo, cocoa consumption may contribute to the prevention or treatment of diseases mediated by chronic inflammation. This critical review judged the evidence for such effects occurring after cocoa consumption. Methods: A literature search in Medline was performed for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) that investigated the effects of cocoa consumption on inflammatory biomarkers. Results: Thirty-three RCTs were included, along with 9 bolus and 24 regular consumption studies. Acute cocoa consumption decreased adhesion molecules and 4-series leukotrienes in serum, nuclear factor κB activation in leukocytes, and the expression of CD62P and CD11b on monocytes and neutrophils. In healthy subjects and in patients with cardiovascular diseases, most regular consumption trials did not find any changes except for a decreased number of endothelial microparticles, but several cellular and humoral inflammation markers decreased in patients suffering from type 2 diabetes and impaired fasting glucose. Conclusions: Little evidence exists that consumption of cocoa-rich food may reduce inflammation, probably by lowering the activation of monocytes and neutrophils. The efficacy seems to depend on the extent of the basal inflammatory burden. Further well-designed RCTs with inflammation as the primary outcome are needed, focusing on specific markers of leukocyte activation and considering endothelial microparticles as marker of vascular inflammation.
Maternal breastfeeding positions: have we got it right? (2).

lthough exclusive breastfeeding is associated with significant health benefits, British mothers are some of the least likely in Europe to sustain breastfeeding (Hamlyn et al 2002). Knowledgeable support may be crucial in overcoming the problems that prompt early, unintended breast weaning (Renfrew et al 2005). Current breastfeeding support approaches suggest a fixed system of routine and early breastfeeding management using verbal instruction to enable mothers to learn correct positioning and attachment skills. The following points have been recently reported as best practice. To breastfeed, mothers should: ● sit in a chair with an upright back, at right angles to their 'almost flat lap' ● use a footstool (if needed) to support their feet ● swaddle the baby (if necessary), ensuring baby's arms are lying at the sides, not across the body ● support the baby on a pillow with nose and mouth in line with mother's nipple before beginning the feed ● attach the baby correctly, holding the breast, if necessary, but keeping the breast still ● elicit a mouth gape, by moving the baby against the breast and enabling the mouth to touch the nipple ● aim the baby's bottom lip as far away as possible from the base of the nipple to enable baby's tongue to scoop in as much breast as possible (Inch et al 2003a). The theory for this kind of instruction appears to originate from three primary sources: 1. Research examining the anatomy and physiology of infant sucking (Weber et al 1986, Woolridge,1986a; 1986b). 2. Research differentiating sore nipple types and expert clinical practice (Gunther 1945, 1973). 3. Experts' practice in English problem-solving hospital/community feeding clinics (Woolridge 1995). A recent systematic review highlights that poor positioning and breast attachment are associated with low milk supply, nipple trauma, breast engorgement and early weaning (Renfrew et al 2000). These risk factors were first identified through landmark research carried out by Woolridge in the 1980s. Studying the mechanisms of sucking through ultrasonic examination of the buccal cavity during breastfeeding, Woolridge (1986a, 1986b) replicated and further developed earlier cineradiographic studies made of both breast-and bottle-feeding episodes (Ardran et al 1958a, 1958b). Using video recordings of ultrasound scans to examine patterns and coordination between sucking, swallowing and breathing, Woolridge (1986a, 1986b) studied six breastfed and six bottlefed infants between the second and sixth postnatal day. Suzanne Colson reviews the theory supporting routine teaching of breastfeeding positioning and attachment skills, and …
Head-mounted eye-tracking of infants' natural interactions: a new method

Currently, developmental psychologists rely on paradigms that use infants' looking behavior as the primary measure. Despite hundreds of studies describing infants' visual exploration of experimental stimuli, researchers know little about where infants look during everyday interactions. Head-mounted eye-trackers have provided many insights into natural vision in adults, but methods and equipment that work well with adults are not suitable for infants---the equipment is prohibitively big and calibration procedures too demanding. We outline the first method for studying mobile infants' visual behavior during natural interactions. We used a new, specially designed head-mounted eye-tracker to record 6 infants' gaze as they played with mothers in a room full of toys and obstacles. Using this method, we measured how infants employed gaze while navigating obstacles, manipulating objects, and interacting with mothers. Results revealed new insights into visually guided locomotor and manual action and social interaction.
Conscious mental processes in a theory of aggression: Why do people sometimes pursue aggressive goals?

Freud a introduit la metaphore de l'« iceberg »pour designer l'inconscient. En fait, l'idee que les individus traitent les informations immediates de facon consciente et systematique afin de construire leur monde et de planifier leurs actions est seduisante, mais cela correspond seulement a la partie visible de l'iceberg. En effet, la regulation consciente du comportement demande du temps, requiert un effort considerable et des ressources importantes. De ce fait, il semble que l'individu ne peut faire l'economie du controle inconscient ou automatique de son comportement; meme lorsqu'il s'agit d'un comportement agressif. Et pourtant, chez l'Homme, l'agression generee par la menace du soi et par des buts personnalises doit etre conceptualisee comme un comportement tres varie, intentionnel (oriente vers un but) et gouverne principalement par des processus conscients.
A Linearization Technique for a Transconductor Using Vertical Bipolar Junction Transistors in a CMOS Process

In this paper, a linearization technique for a transconductor using vertical NPN (V-NPN) bipolar junction transistors (BJTs) in a deep n-well CMOS process is proposed to achieve high linearity performance without degrading power efficiency and noise performance. The proposed transconductor consists of a V-NPN BJT pseudodifferential transconductor (PDT) and a V-NPN BJT fully differential transconductor (FDT). The linearity of the proposed transconductor is improved by canceling the negative peak value of gm'' in the FDT with the positive one in the PDT and by making overall gm'' of the proposed transconductor close to zero. To verify the proposed linearization method, an RF amplifier and a first-order Gm-C low-pass filter adopting the proposed transconductor are designed and implemented in a 0.18-μm deep n-well CMOS process. The implemented RF amplifier and Gm-C low-pass filter achieve 5.8- and 8.5-dB improvements over conventional circuits in the output-referred third-order intercept point, respectively.
Analysis and Comparison of Multichannel Noise Reduction Methods in a Common Framework

Noise reduction for speech enhancement is a useful technique, but in general it is a challenging problem. While a single-channel algorithm is easy to use in practice, it inevitably introduces speech distortion to the desired speech signal while reducing noise. Today, the explosive growth in computational power and the continuous drop in the cost and size of acoustic electric transducers are driving the interest of employing multiple microphones in speech processing systems. This opens new opportunities for noise reduction. In this paper, we present an analysis of three multichannel noise reduction algorithms, namely Wiener filter, subspace, and spatial-temporal prediction, in a common framework. We intend to investigate whether it is possible for the multichannel noise reduction algorithms to reduce noise without speech distortion. Finally, we justify what we learn via theoretical analyses by simulations using real impulse responses measured in the varechoic chamber at Bell Labs.
Physical self-concept in primary education. A proposal for a measurement tool

This research has two main goals: (a) setting up a valid and reliable tool under the form of a questionnaire to measure physical self-concept; and (b) checking the factor structure of that questionnaire “Physical Self on Primary Students” (PSPS) through a factor analysis. Accordingly, we drew up a tool consisting of 20 items that was delivered to 330 students during an initial pilot stage, and to 692 students during a second stage, all of them being 5th and 6th primary grade students. The results reveal the existence of a four dimensional mode, since the indexes found in the confirmatory factorial analysis show a reasonably suitable adjustment of the model. Thus, the GFI index provides values of . 827 and . 773 for the AGFI. At the same time, the c2 provides a value of 1043.64 (P = .000) with 104 degrees of freedom. The value of the IFC is . 862, close to the subjective cut-off point to consider it a model of fair representation of the observed data. PSP-PS showed as a valid and reliable tool, easy to apply to primary students. It could contribute to detect, prevent and/or intervene in students with low self-esteem.
IFN-α-Induced Upregulation of CCR5 Leads to Expanded HIV Tropism In Vivo

Chronic immune activation and inflammation (e.g., as manifest by production of type I interferons) are major determinants of disease progression in primate lentivirus infections. To investigate the impact of such activation on intrathymic T-cell production, we studied infection of the human thymus implants of SCID-hu Thy/Liv mice with X4 and R5 HIV. X4 HIV was observed to infect CD3−CD4+CD8−CXCR4+CCR5− intrathymic T-cell progenitors (ITTP) and to abrogate thymopoiesis. R5 HIV, by contrast, first established a nonpathogenic infection of thymic macrophages and then, after many weeks, began to replicate in ITTP. We demonstrate here that the tropism of R5 HIV is expanded and pathogenicity enhanced by upregulation of CCR5 on these key T-cell progenitors. Such CCR5 induction was mediated by interferon-α (IFN-α) in both thymic organ cultures and in SCID-hu mice, and antibody neutralization of IFN-α in R5 HIV-infected SCID-hu mice inhibited both CCR5 upregulation and infection of the T-cell progenitors. These observations suggest a mechanism by which IFN-α production may paradoxically expand the tropism of R5 HIV and, in so doing, accelerate disease progression.