Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Mobile Sensor Network Resilient Against Node Replication Attacks

By launching the node replication attack, the adversary can place the replicas of captured sensor nodes back into the sensor networks in order to eavesdrop the transmitted messages or compromise the functionality of the network. Although defending against node replication attacks demands immediate attention, only a few solutions were proposed. Most of the existing distributed protocols adopt the witness finding strategy, which selects a set of sensor nodes somewhere as the witnesses, to detect the replicas. However, the energy consumption of the witness finding strategy is remarkably high and even gets worse in mobile networks. In addition, the location information is necessary for each node if the witness finding strategy is applied. In this paper, a novel protocol, called extremely Efficient Detection (XED), is proposed to resist against node replication attacks in mobile sensor networks. The advantages of XED include (1) only constant communication cost is required for replica detection; (2) the location information of sensor nodes is not required. Performance analyses and comparison with known methods are provided to demonstrate the effectiveness of our protocol.
Robust object tracking based on accelerated sparse representation

Recently tracking methods based on sparse representation have got a lot of attentions. But the huge computation in solving the L1-regularized least squares problem limits their application to real-time tracking. In this paper, we present a fast and robust tracking method based on sparse representation. By analyzing the sparsity of both representation coefficient and the representation error, a new model for sparse representation is proposed. We also design a reasonable sparseness-promoting initial value, which can produce significant increases in speed and efficiency. Finally, a new image metric called the Structural SIMilarity (SSIM) index is introduced into the process of template updating, which leads to a more perfect template updating processing. Experiments demonstrate that our new proposed method can work fast with a good robustness.
Centralized Fiscal Spending by Supranational Unions

We study fiscal spending by supranational unions, where participation is voluntary and countries bargain over contributions to and the allocation of a central budget. We explore the link between the allocation and nations’ contributions that occurs since bargaining power is endogenous, and generically causes inefficiency. Interestingly, redistribution arises endogenously, despite nations being purely self-interested. However, there exists a trade-off between increasing equality and decreasing efficiency, which becomes more severe as the centralized budget increases. We also analyze partial ex-ante commitment through alternative decision-making institutions: Both majority rule and exogenous tax rules can improve efficiency. JEL-Code: H770, H870, D710.
Prevalence and Impact of Pain in Adults Aging With a Physical Disability: Comparison to a US General Population Sample

Objectives:To describe rates of pain and pain interference in a large sample of adults aging with long-standing physical disabilities, relative to a normative US population sample. Methods:Self-report survey data was collected for a sample of 1877 individuals with spinal cord injury, neuromuscular disease, postpolio syndrome, or multiple sclerosis. Rates of pain severity and pain interference in these samples were then compared with those taken from a large normative sample (>20,000) collected through the NIH Patient Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System (PROMIS). Results:Individuals with long-standing physical disabilities reported higher levels of pain and pain interference across the lifespan as compared with individuals in the normative sample. In general, individuals with disability did not experience an age-related decrease in pain and pain impact in contrast to those in the normative sample. For 3 disability groups (neuromuscular disease, postpolio syndrome, and multiple sclerosis), pain interference remained elevated and significantly higher than national norms in the “postretirement” period (ie, age 65 to 74). Discussion:Results from this study provide a large scale data on prevalence rates of pain and pain interference in this population. Findings underscore the prevalence and impact of pain in persons with disabilities and suggest that individuals with disability may not experience the same degree of decrease in pain interference in later life that is typical of the US population. Those aging with disability may be especially at risk for pain-related impairment in later life.
Supply and demand, allocation and wage inequality: an international comparison

An allocation model of workers differentiated by their field of study is developed to test whether international differences in the wage structure can be explained by differences in labour demand and supply in each country. The model explicitly takes into account the effects of supply and demand shifts on the allocation structure to disentangle country specific differences in the recruitment for one occupation from real supply–demand effects. Empirical results based on data for nine countries show that cross-country differences in wage inequality explain at least two–third of the differences in labour demand and supply.
Perspectives on Electronic Medical Record Implementation after Two Years of Use in Primary Health Care Practice

Purpose: This qualitative study explored the experiences of primary health care providers and staff who had moved beyond the stage of implementing electronic medical records (EMRs) in their practices to using this technology on an on-going basis. Methods: A descriptive qualitative approach was used. Semistructured interviews were conducted with 19 participants. Data analysis was iterative and interpretive. Results: Factors that hindered and motivated ongoing EMR use emerged. Factors that hindered use included (1) information technology challenges such as learning to use the EMR and the computer, electronic connectivity, and scanning; and (2) variability in on-going EMR use. Two factors motivated ongoing use: (1) improved efficiency in patient care, and (2) confidence with computers and EMR software. Conclusions: Different issues in the use of EMRs surface as primary health care providers and staff mature in their use of this technology. Ongoing use of the EMR may be facilitated by confidence with the technology as well as providers' perceptions of efficiency in patient care. Optimal use of the EMR could be facilitated through assessing and enhancing computer skills, working toward consistent data entry and use of the EMR, and developing strategies to address issues such as scanning and electronic connectivity.
The Century Survey Galactic Halo Project. II. Global Properties and the Luminosity Function of Field Blue Horizontal Branch Stars

We discuss a 175 deg2 spectroscopic survey for blue horizontal branch (BHB) stars in the Galactic halo. We use the Two Micron All Sky Survey (2MASS) and the Sloan Digital Sky Survey (SDSS) to select BHB candidates, and we find that the 2MASS and SDSS color selection is 38% and 50% efficient, respectively, for BHB stars. Our samples include one likely runaway B7 star 6 kpc below the Galactic plane. The global properties of the BHB samples are consistent with membership in the halo population: the median metallicity is [Fe/H] = -1.7, the velocity dispersion is 108 km s-1, and the mean Galactic rotation of the BHB stars 3 kpc < |z| < 15 kpc is -4 ± 30 km s-1. We discuss the theoretical basis of the Preston, Shectman, and Beers MV-color relation for BHB stars and conclude that the intrinsic shape of the BHB MV-color relation results from the physics of stars on the horizontal branch. We calculate the luminosity function for the field BHB star samples using the maximum likelihood method of Efstathiou and coworkers, which is unbiased by density variations. The field BHB luminosity function exhibits a steep rise at bright luminosities, a peak between 0.8 < MV < 1.0, and a tail at faint luminosities. We compare the field BHB luminosity functions with the luminosity functions derived from 16 different globular cluster BHBs. Kolmogorov-Smirnov tests suggest that field BHB stars and BHB stars in globular clusters share a common distribution of luminosities, with the exception of globular clusters with extended BHBs.
Fate of ecto‐NAD+ glycohydrolase during phagocytosis of normal and mannosylated latex beads by murine macrophages

Summary— In order to gain a better understanding of the role of ecto‐NAD+ glycohydrolase, an enzyme predominantly associated with phagocytic cells, we have studied its fate in murine macrophages (splenic, resident peritoneal and Kupffer cells) during phagocytosis of opsonized or mannosylated latex beads. In parallel, we have also monitored nucleotide pyrophosphatase, another ectoenzyme of macrophages. Phagosomes were isolated by flotation in a discontinuous sucrose gradient and the enzyme activities were determined with fluorometric methods. Low levels of NAD+ glycohydrolase and nucleotide pyrophosphatase could be measured associated with the phagosomal fractions, eg, respectively less than 4.5% and 10% in spleen macrophages. The phagosomal activities originate from the plasma membrane, ie they were latent and inactivation of ecto‐NAD+ glycohydrolase with the diazonium salt of sulfanilic acid resulted in a marked decrease of this enzyme activity in the phagosomal fractions. Pre‐labelling of the cell surface by [3H]‐galactosylation indicated that NAD+ glycohydrolase is internalized to a lesser extent than an average surface‐membrane unit. These results indicate that if ecto‐NAD+ glycohydrolase of macrophages can be internalized to a limited extent during phagocytosis of opsonized or mannosylated latex beads, this enzyme appears to be predominantly excluded from the surface area involved in the uptake of such particles.
Tractable Cover Compilations

Tractable covers are introduced as a new approach to equivalence-preserving compilation of propositional knowledge bases. First, a general framework is presented. Then, two specific cases are considered. In the first one, partial interpretations are used to shape the knowledge base into tractable formulas from several possible classes. In the second case, they are used to derive renamable Horn formulas. This last case is proved less space-consuming than prime implicants cover compilations for every knowledge base. Finally, experimental results show that the new approaches can prove efficient w.r. t. direct query answering and offer significant time and space savings w.r. t. prime implicants covers.
A Simulation for Designing Online Community : Member Motivation , Contribution , and Discussion Moderation

This article describes and validates an agent-based model that integrates social psychological theories on collective effort, group identity, and interpersonal bonds to understand trade-offs in designing online communities. The model is then used to examine when different types of moderation in online communities will be valuable: no moderation in which all members are exposed to all messages, community-level moderation in which off-topic messages are deleted for everyone in the group, and personalized moderation in which people see different messages based on their interests. Compared to a no-moderation control, personalized moderation is effective in increasing members’ contribution and commitment, especially in topically broad communities and those with high message volume. In contrast, community-level moderation increases member commitment but not contribution. By removing off-topic messages, community-level moderation increases members’ information benefits at the expense of their opportunities for developing online relationships. This research demonstrates the value of computational modeling to synthesize narrow theories to describe behaviors in a complex system and to inform online community design.
Timing constraints of MPEG-2 decoding for high quality video: misconceptions and realistic assumptions

Decoding MPEG-2 video streams imposes hard real-time constraints for consumer devices such as TV sets. The freedom of encoding choices provided by the MPEG-2 standard results in high variability inside streams, in particular with respect to frame structures and their sizes. In this paper, we identify realistic timing constraints demanded by MPEG-2 video decoding. We present results from a study of realistic MPEG-2 video streams to analyze the validity of common assumptions for software decoding and identify a number of misconceptions. Furthermore, we identify constraints imposed by frame buffer handling and discussed their implications on decoding architecture and timing constraints.
Ridge And Valley Junctions Extraction

In this paper we propose a new junctions ridges and valleys detection method in images based on the difference of rotating Gaussian semi filters. The novelty of this approach resides in the mixing of ideas coming both from directional filters and DoG method. We obtain a new ridges/valleys junctions anisotropic DoG detector enabling very precise detection of ridge/valley junctions. Moreover, this detector performs correctly even if crest lines are highly bended or noised. This detector has been tested successfully on synthetic and real images establishing performing results.
A New Efficient Mechanism for Establishing IP Connectivity between Ambient Networks

The changes in the communication paradigm envisioned for future networks, with peer-to-peer/symmetric attachments gaining momentum and two IP (Internet Protocol) versions coexisting, will pose new challenges to mobile communication networks. Traditional IP autoconfiguration mechanisms will not work properly, since they were designed mostly having in mind a client-server/asymmetric attachment model, they assume a single IP version paradigm, and they target the auto-configuration of devices only. The IST Ambient Networks project has introduced a new concept - the Ambient Network - that enables handling every communication entity, either a single device or an entire network, as an Ambient Network (AN). This paper describes a new efficient mechanism, named Basic Connectivity (BC) mechanism, for autoconfiguring IP connectivity between attaching ANs. A proof-of-concept prototype, experimental results, and theoretical analysis show that BC suites the future networking paradigm and represents a solution more efficient than the current trial-and-error mechanism for auto-configuring IP connectivity.
Subcortical Vascular Dementia as a Specific Target for Clinical Trials

Abstract: Vascular cognitive impairment is considered the second most common form of mental deterioration in the elderly after degenerative dementias. Therapeutic approaches to vascular dementia mainly rely on the identification and treatment of risk factors. A number of drugs have also been tested with the aim of improving or slowing cognitive decline in patients affected by various forms of cerebrovascular disease. Most of these trials have yielded unsatisfactory results. We hypothesize that some of these failures depend on the inclusion of patients with pathophysiologically heterogeneous types of vascular cognitive decline. In this paper, we review some of the most important trials that tested drugs with a preventive or therapeutic aim in vascular dementia patients. Preliminary results suggest that some beneficial effects can be detected only when the trial population is homogeneous on a clinical and pathogenic basis. In particular, subcortical vascular dementia, a form with a rather univocal clinical, radiological, and pathological picture, seems a particularly apt choice as a target for future clinical studies. At present, only one therapeutic trial is being conducted in patients affected by this specific form of vascular dementia.
Concordant evolution of plumage colour, feather microstructure and a melanocortin receptor gene between mainland and island populations of a fairy–wren

Studies of the patterns of diversification of birds on islands have contributed a great deal to the development of evolutionary theory. In white–winged fairy–wrens, Malurus leucopterus, mainland males develop a striking blue nuptial plumage whereas those on nearby islands develop black nuptial plumage. We explore the proximate basis for this divergence by combining microstructural feather analysis with an investigation of genetic variation at the melanocortin–1 receptor locus (MC1R). Fourier analysis revealed that the medullary keratin matrix (spongy layer) of the feather barbs of blue males was ordered at the appropriate nanoscale to produce the observed blue colour by coherent light scattering. Surprisingly, the feather barbs of black males also contained a spongy layer that could produce a similar blue colour. However, black males had more melanin in their barbs than blue males, and this melanin may effectively mask any structural colour produced by the spongy layer. Moreover, the presence of this spongy layer suggests that black island males evolved from a blue–plumaged ancestor. We also document concordant patterns of variation at the MC1R locus, as five amino acid substitutions were perfectly associated with the divergent blue and black plumage phenotypes. Thus, with the possible involvement of a melanocortin receptor locus, increased melanin density may mask the blue–producing microstructure in black island males, resulting in the divergence of plumage coloration between mainland and island white–winged fairy–wrens. Such mechanisms may also be responsible for plumage colour diversity across broader geographical and evolutionary scales.
Poor Outcome After First-Ever Stroke: Predictors for Death, Dependency, and Recurrent Stroke Within the First Year

Background and Purpose— The purpose of this study was to define predictors of poor outcome after a first-ever stroke. We studied risk factors and stroke severity at baseline in relationship to death, dependency, and stroke recurrence within a year after the event. Methods— The study included a community-based cohort of first-ever stroke patients. Subarachnoid hemorrhage was not included. All patients (n=377) were subjected to investigations regarding risk factors. Stroke severity was evaluated with the National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale, and dependency was defined according to the modified Rankin Scale. Multivariate regression models were used to analyze predictors of survival, dependency, and stroke recurrence. The following independent variables were used: age, sex, cohabitation status, cigarette smoking, dementia, hypertension, ischemic heart disease, heart failure, atrial fibrillation, diabetes mellitus, transitory ischemic attack, peripheral atherosclerosis, and stroke severity. Results— The 1-year mortality was 33%. After 1 year, 37% of the survivors were dependent; 9% of survivors had a recurrent stroke within a year. Dementia, age, stroke severity, and atrial fibrillation were associated with death within a year. Dependency was associated with age, stroke severity, and heart failure. Stroke recurrence was predicted by age and dementia. Conclusions— In addition to age and stroke severity, heart diseases and dementia before the stroke seem to have an impact on mortality and recurrence after 1 year. Finding and, when possible, treating these prestroke conditions may affect stroke morbidity and mortality favorably.
Photoelastic Analysis of Two Maxillary Protocols Using Zygomatic Implants

El objetivo de este estudio fue analizar el estres in vitro y la distribucion de tensiones en la estructura craneofacial a partir de los implantes cigomaticos. Replicas de craneo de poliuretano fueron usados como modelos para la instalacion de implantes cigomaticos estandar utilizando dos modelos de distribucion de implantes. Estos modelos fueron usados como modelos utilizando 1 implante en cada lado con dos o cuatro implantes convencionales en la region anterior maxilar (grupo 1 y grupo 2); posteriormente, se realizo una carga compresiva unilateral en la maquina Instrom 4411 utilizando 2 mm de desplazamiento maximo. La distribucion de estres se concentro principalmente en la region de cuerpo de hueso cigomatico y en la region frontal del proceso cigomatico; el modelo 1, con dos implantes convencionales, mostro mayor distribucion de estres en la region cigomatica al comparase con el grupo 2; bajo estas condiciones, se concluye que la distribucion con cuatro implantes convencionales entrega mejores condiciones de distribucion de tensiones.
Automatic Extraction of Data Points and Text Blocks from 2-Dimensional Plots in Digital Documents

Two dimensional plots (2-D) in digital documents on the web are an important source of information that is largely under-utilized. In this paper, we outline how data and text can be extracted automatically from these 2-D plots, thus eliminating a time consuming manual process. Our information extraction algorithm identifies the axes of the figures, extracts text blocks like axes-labels and legends and identifies data points in the figure. It also extracts the units appearing in the axes labels and segments the legends to identify the different lines in the legend, the different symbols and their associated text explanations. Our algorithm also performs the challenging task of separating out overlapping text and data points effectively. Our experiments indicate that these techniques are computationally efficient and provide acceptable accuracy.
Family Child Care Providers’ Compliance With State Physical Activity Regulations, Delaware Child Care Provider Survey, 2011

Introduction Delaware is one state that has implemented comprehensive child care regulations to foster healthy dietary and physical activity behaviors of young children. This study describes the Delaware family child care environment and providers’ knowledge of and compliance with physical activity regulations. We analyzed the data to determine characteristics associated with predictors of knowledge of and compliance with these regulations. Methods A random stratified sample of 663 licensed Delaware family child care providers was mailed a survey on family child care characteristics and providers’ awareness and practices of the child care regulations. Three logistic regression models were used to explore the association between provider characteristics and their knowledge of and compliance with the regulations. Results Ultimately, 313 of the 663 eligible family child care providers participated in the survey (47.2% response rate). Controlling for covariates, we found that family child care providers’ education level was significantly associated with knowledge of the physical activity regulation. Another model showed that family child care providers with larger amounts of outdoor space were more likely to report compliance with the recommendation for unstructured physical activity than those without this described space (odds ratio, 2.45). A third model showed a significant association between available indoor space for all activities including running and reported greater compliance with the recommendation for structured physical activity than was reported by caregivers with less indoor space (odds ratio, 11.2). Conclusion To provide the recommended levels of physical activity for children in child care, the available physical space environment is an important area of focus for advocates of physical activity recommendations within the family child care environment.
Neuroanesthesia management of neurosurgery of brain stem tumor requiring neurophysiology monitoring in an iMRI OT setting

This report describes a rare case of ventrally exophytic pontine glioma describing operative and neuroanesthesia management. The combination of intraoperative neuromonitoring was used. It constituted: Brain stem evoked responses/potentials, Motor EP: recording from cranial nerve supplied muscle, and Sensory EP: Medial/tibial. Excision of the tumor was done with intra-operative magnatic resonance imaging (iMRI), which is considered a new modality.