Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Evaluating and improving firewalls for IP-telephony environments

Firewalls are a well established security mechanism for providing access control and auditing at the borders between different administrative network domains. Their basic architecture, techniques and operation modes did not change fundamentally during the last years. On the other side new challenges emerge rapidly when new innovative application domains have to be supported. IP-Telephony applications are considered to have a huge economic potential in the near future. For their widespread acceptance and thereby their economic success they must cope with established security policies. Existing firewalls face immense problems here, if they - as it still happens quite often - try to handle the new challenges in a way they did with "traditional applications". As we will show in this paper, IP-Telephony applications differ from those in many aspects, which makes such an approach quite inadequate. After identifying and characterizing the problems we therefore describe and evaluate a more appropriate approach. The feasibility of our architecture will be shown. It forms the basis of a prototype implementation, that we are currently working on.
Using Functional Neuroimaging Tools to Inform the Design of Anthropomorphic Online Product Recommendation Agents

Product recommendation agents (PRAs) are deployed extensively in e-commerce to give consumers advice on products. Although the design of PRAs has received much attention in the IS literature, the focus has been on the PRA’s functional and utilitarian characteristics, thus potentially ignoring social demographics, such as ethnicity and gender, in their design. In this study, we conducted a functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging (fMRI) study to assess how the design of anthropomorphic PRAs (humanoid avatars) can incorporate ethnicity and gender to enhance the interpersonal interaction between users and PRAs. Brain activity was captured in an fMRI scanner while users indicated their responses to three key variables – perceived usefulness, social presence, and trust – that were shown in the literature to predict the use of PRAs. Our objective was to offer a neurological explanation to prior behavioral findings that showed that ethnicity (but not gender) similarity is associated with higher perceived usefulness, social presence, and trust in PRAs, particularly in women. Specifically, users who varied on their ethnicity and gender to either match or mismatch the ethnicity and gender of four anthropomorphic PRAs were asked to interact and evaluate these PRAs on their perceived usefulness, social presence, and trust. The fMRI results help explain earlier behavioral findings by showing that the observed brain activations for the three key variables were evident mainly in women as opposed to men, while certain brain activations were primarily due to ethnicity match and others mainly due to gender match. Besides complementing and extending earlier behavioral findings and shedding light on the neurological nature of perceived usefulness, social presence, and trust, the study uncovers the nature and role of ethnicity and gender match and mismatch, as well as it informs practitioners on how to design PRAs that are more likely to be adopted and used.
INSIGHT INTO THE FORMATION OF THE MILKY WAY THROUGH COLD HALO SUBSTRUCTURE. I. THE ECHOS OF MILKY WAY FORMATION

We identify 10—seven for the first time—elements of cold halo substructure (ECHOS) in the volume within 17.5 kpc of the Sun in the inner halo of the Milky Way. Our result is based on the observed spatial and radial velocity distribution of metal-poor main-sequence turnoff (MPMSTO) stars in 137 Sloan Extension for Galactic Understanding and Exploration lines of sight. We point out that the observed radial velocity distribution is consistent with a smooth stellar component of the Milky Way's inner halo overall, but disagrees significantly at the radial velocities that correspond to our detections. We show that all of our detections are statistically significant and that we expect no false positives. These ECHOS represent the observable stellar debris of ancient merger events in the stellar accretion history of the Milky Way, and we use our detections and completeness estimates to infer a formal upper limit of 0.34+0.02−0.02 on the fraction of the MPMSTO population in the inner halo that belong to ECHOS. Our detections and completeness calculations also suggest that there is a significant population of low fractional overdensity ECHOS in the inner halo, and we predict that 1/3 of the inner halo (by volume) harbors ECHOS with MPMSTO star number densities n ≈ 15 kpc−3. In addition, we estimate that there are of order 103 ECHOS in the entire inner halo. ECHOS are likely older than known surface brightness substructure, so our detections provide us with a direct measure of the accretion history of the Milky Way in a region and time interval that has yet to be fully explored. In concert with previous studies, our result suggests that the level of merger activity has been roughly constant over the past few Gyr and that there has been no accretion of single stellar systems more massive than a few percent of a Milky Way mass in that interval.
Status report on the LOC ASIC

Based on a commercially available 0.25 μm Silicon on Sapphire CMOS technology, we are developing the LOC ASIC for high speed serial data transmission in the front-end electronics systems of the ATLAS upgrade for the SLHC 1 . Evaluation of this technology for applications in the SLHC, based on a dedicated test chip, has been performed with irradiation tests in gamma (Co-60) and in 230 MeV proton beams. Test results indicate that this may be a candidate technology of ASIC developments for the SLHC. More thorough evaluation tests will be carried out under another R&D program supported through the Advanced Detector Research (ADR) from the Department of Energy. Characterization tests on the first prototype serializer, LOC1, have been carried out in lab. Based on the lessons learned from this chip, we propose a new architecture design of the second prototype, LOC2, aiming for a serial data rate in the range of 5 Gbps. Simulation on key components of LOC2 are being carried out and the results we have so far are presented in this note. LOC2 is scheduled to be submitted for fabrication in the first half of 2009.
PERIOD AND COHORT DYNAMICS IN FERTILITY NORMS AT THE ONSET OF THE DEMOGRAPHIC TRANSITION IN KENYA 1978–1998

Summary. A characteristic of African pre-transitional fertility regimes is large ideal family size. This has been used to support claims of cultural entrenchment of high fertility. Yet in Kenya fertility rates have fallen. In this paper this fall is explored in relation to trends in fertility norms and attitudes using four sequential cross-sectional surveys spanning the fertility transition in Kenya (1978, 1984, 1989 and 1998). The most rapid fall in the reported ideal family size occurred between 1984 and 1989, whilst the most rapid fall in the total fertility rate occurred 5 to 10 years later, between 1989 and 1998. Thus these data, spanning the fertility transition in Kenya, support the traditional demographic model that demand for fertility limitation drives fertility decline. These data also suggest that the decline in fertility norms over time was partly a period effect, as the reported ideal family size was seen to fall simultaneously in all age cohorts, and partly a cohort effect, as older age cohorts reporting higher ideal family sizes were replaced by younger cohorts reporting lower ideal family sizes. These data also suggest that a new fertility norm of four children may have developed by 1989 and continued until 1998. This is consistent with, and perhaps could have been used to predict, the stall in the Kenyan fertility decline after 1998.
' s report Title : Pre-cooling for endurance exercise performance in the heat : A systematic review Version : 1

This article systematically reviews previous research examining the influence of established precooling techniques on athletic performance. While the authors have chosen an interesting topic I feel that there are a number of issues with this manuscript that preclude it from publication in its current form. Most importantly, sections of the manuscript seem somewhat disjointed and the rational for the review is not well developed. The background and discussion sections need to be restructured to provide a greater focus on the aims/purpose of the review. I have a number of specific comments outlined below.
An Analysis to Relational Contract-Based Supply Chain Partnership

In this paper, a model of supply chain partnership based on relational contract was established and the conditions for the self-enforceability of supply chain partnership were given. An analysis was particularly made to reveal the impacts of asset specificity on the self-enforceability, finding that supply chain partnership is most suitable for the situation with moderate degree of asset specificity. If there exists high degree of asset specificity, the great return from supply chain cooperation is required to assure the self-enforceability of supply chain partnership.
Early changes in scores of chronic damage on transplant kidney protocol biopsies reflect donor characteristics, but not future graft function

The amount of irreversible injury on renal allograft biopsy predicts function, but little is known about the early evolution of this damage. In a single‐center cohort, we examined the relationship between donor‐, recipient‐, and transplantation‐associated factors and change in a morphometric index of chronic damage (ICD) between protocol biopsies performed at implantation and at 2–3 months. We then investigated whether early delta ICD predicted subsequent biochemical outcomes. We found little evidence to support differences between the study group, who had undergone serial biopsies, and a contemporaneous control group, who had not. In allografts with serial biopsies (n = 162), there was an increase in ICD between implantation (median: 2%, IQR:0–8) and 2–3 months post‐transplant (median 8% IQR:4–15; p < 0.0001). Donation from younger or live donors was independently associated with smaller early post‐transplant increases in ICD. There was no evidence for a difference in delta ICD between donation after cardiac death vs. donation after brain death, nor association with length of cold ischemia. After adjustment for GFR at the time of the second biopsy, delta ICD after three months did not predict allograft function at one yr. These findings suggest that graft damage develops shortly after transplantation and reflects donor factors, but does not predict future biochemical outcomes.
Innovative Agents in Multiple Myeloma

Multiple myeloma (MM) remains an incurable cancer of the bone marrow plasma cells. However, the overall survival of patients with MM has increased dramatically within the past decade. This is due, in part, to newer agents such as immunomodulatory drugs (lenalidomide, thalidomide, and pomalidomide) and proteasome inhibitors (bortezomib, carfilzomib, MLN9708). These and several other new classes of drugs have arisen from an improved understanding of the complex environment in which genetic changes occur. Improved understanding of genetic events will enable clinicians to better stratify risk before and during therapy, tailor treatment, and test the value of personalized interventions. The ultimate goal in this incurable disease setting is to reduce the impact of cancer- or chemotherapy-related side effects. Nurses and advanced practitioners are integral to the treatment team. Thus, each should be aware of changes to the current drug landscape. Targeted drugs with sophisticated mechanisms of action are currently under investigation. Patients gain access to newer drugs within the context of clinical trials. Awareness of such trials will help accrual and determine if therapeutic benefit exists. In this article, we will describe new agents with unique and targeted mechanisms of action that have activity in patients with relapsed and/or refractory multiple myeloma.
Dynamic vs. static spectral detail in the perception of gated stops

In order to assess the importance of dynamic spectral information within the first few milliseconds following oral release for the identification of prevocalic stop consonants, 23.75 ms gated CV syllables were presented to listeners for identification. In addition to these, subjects were presented with the same tokens reconstructed from their minumum phase decomposition such that they have the same long-term power spectrum as their original counterparts, but with differing internal dynamic spectral detail. Subjects’ results from this experiment were then modelled with logistic regression analysis using mel cepstral coefficients with and without dynamic spectral information encoded in order to demonstrate the effect that reduced temporal information has in the context of automatic classification. Preliminary results from this experiment show that some dynamic spectral detail is used by listeners even for very short stimuli. We conclude that models of speech perception must take spectral variation over very short time frames into account.
The BNIP-2 and Cdc42GAP Homology (BCH) Domain of p50RhoGAP/Cdc42GAP Sequesters RhoA from Inactivation by the Adjacent GTPase-activating Protein Domain

The BNIP-2 and Cdc42GAP Homology (BCH) domain from p50RhoGAP sequesters RhoA from inactivation by the adjacent GAP domain and it confers unique Rho-binding profile from that of GAP domain. This suppression is further augmented by an intramolecular interaction, adding to a new paradigm for regulating p50RhoGAP signaling.
The Continuing Muddles of Monetary Theory: A Steadfast Refusal to Face Facts By C.A.E. Goodhart Financial Markets Group London School of Economics

There has been a remarkable gulf between mainstream monetary theory and reality in recent decades. Amongst the worst examples are:(1) IS/LM: the monetary authorities set the monetary base, and the interest rate is determined in the market; (2) The monetary base multiplier of bank deposits, and the role of reserve ratios; (3) The current three equation neo-classical consensus, which not only assumes perfect creditworthiness for all agents, but also an essentially non-monetary system, e.g. no need for banks; (4) The standard theory of the evolution of money. Monetary economics can only get better, but it has a long way yet to go.
Complexity of the Mixed Postman Problem with Restrictions on the Edges

The mixed postman problem consists of finding a minimum cost tour of a connected mixed graph traversing all its vertices, edges, and arcs at least once. We consider the variant of the mixed postman problem where all edges must be traversed exactly once. We prove that the feasibility version of this problem is NP-complete. We introduce a necessary condition for feasibility and show that it can be tested in polynomial time. We prove that this condition is also sufficient if the directed components of the mixed graph form a directed walk. Finally, we give a linear programming formulation to solve the minimization version of this problem if the directed components of the mixed graph form a forest
An improved cross-correlation spectral subtraction post-processing algorithm for noise and echo canceller

Conventional acoustic echo cancellation (AEC) system can remove a large amount of annoying echo. However, the residual echo usually exists which, together with the ambient noise, degrades the duplex speech communication quality. In this paper, a post-processing algorithm based on an improved crosscorrelation spectral subtraction (CCSS) method is proposed to further attenuate the residual echo as well as background noise. The proposed algorithm is able to obtain an optimal priori signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) estimate which is closer to the real situation by using an adaptive smoothing factor based on the minimum mean square error (MMSE) criterion. On the other hand, an adaptive subtraction factor leading to better performance can be obtained by using the prior SNR estimate instead of the tradition fixed parameter. Computer simulations are conducted to verify the advantages achieved by the proposed algorithm in removing the residual echo and background noise.
A Unified Frequency Domain Model to Study the Effect of Demyelination on Axonal Conduction

Multiple sclerosis is a disease caused by demyelination of nerve fibers. In order to determine the loss of signal with the percentage of demyelination, we need to develop models that can simulate this effect. Existing time-based models does not provide a method to determine the influences of demyelination based on simulation results. Our goal is to develop a system identification approach to generate a transfer function in the frequency domain. The idea is to create a unified modeling approach for neural action potential propagation along the length of an axon containing number of Nodes of Ranvier (N). A system identification approach has been used to identify a transfer function of the classical Hodgkin-Huxley equations for membrane voltage potential. Using this approach, we model cable properties and signal propagation along the length of the axon with N node myelination. MATLAB/ Simulink platform is used to analyze an N node-myelinated neuronal axon. The ability to transfer function in the frequency domain will help reduce effort and will give a much more realistic feel when compared to the classical time-based approach. Once a transfer function is identified, the conduction as a cascade of each linear time invariant system-based transfer function can be modeled. Using this approach, future studies can model the loss of myelin in various parts of nervous system.
Job Stress and Burnout Syndrome in a Sample of Rural Health Workers, Behvarzes, in Tehran, Iran

Objective In the last 30 years, ever since the PHC network in Iran has been established, the job duties of Behvarzes (Mental Health Workers in rural areas) have been constantly increasing. The aim of this study was to determine the burnout level, mental health status and the severity of occupational stress among Behvarzes. Methods All Behvarzes (227) working in areas covered by Iran University of Medical Sciences were considered for participation in the study. Maslach Burnout Inventory, GHQ-12, and Stainmentz questionnaires were used. Results The completed questionnaires were returned by 93% of the subjects. The mean score of job stress was in the first percentile (42.8 ± 27.16). 17.6% of the study subjects had moderate to severe level of burnout; 12.3%, 5.3% and 43% of the subjects had abnormal scores on emotional exhaustion, depersonalization and personal subscales respectively; and 28.3% of the cases were suspected to have mental disorders by GHQ. Discussion In spite of increasing assigned jobs to Behvarzes, job stress and burnout are not seriously distressful. Providing more desirable personal accomplishment for Behvarzes by reducing job ambiguity/ conflict, participating in planning new programs, and improving interaction with health authorities may help them to overcome their job related pressure and increasing workload.
Grain quality and determinants of farmers preference for rice varietal traits in three districts of Ghana: Implications for research and policy

Rice has become a popular staple in Africa because it is a convenience food for the rapidly increasing urban population. In Ghana about 70% of the rice consumed is imported. Domestic rice is not competitive because of its perceived poor grain quality. This study assessed the influence of grain quality and other factors on farmers’ preference for improved rice varieties. It also investigated how specific grain quality attributes influence farmers’ preference for improved rice varieties. The probit regression model was used to assess the influence of grain quality attributes and other factors on farmers’ preference for improved rice varieties. The results showed that, age, sex, tolerance to pest and diseases, farm size, and good grain quality had a positive influence on farmers’ preference. Experience in rice cultivation however negatively influenced farmers’ preference for rice varieties. Furthermore, specific grain quality attributes such as, grain length and shape, fragrance, cooking quality, grain color, and absence of foreign matter also positively influenced farmers’ preference for rice varietal traits while chalkiness had a negative influence. Improving grain quality will increase consumer demand for locally produced rice and farmer preferences for improved rice varieties. This has the potential of increasing local rice production and ensuring self-sufficiency in rice production. By implication, there is the need to invest into the development and deployment of rice varieties that have grains that meet the expectations of farmers to propel wide spread adoption and utilization of domestic rice. Key words: Ghana, grain quality, preference, rice varietal traits.
Social Positioning: Designing the Seams between Social, Physical and Digital Space

Mobile settings are not only physically and digitally mediated; they are also inhabited by people – a social space. We argue that careful design exposing the connections, gaps, overlays and mismatches within and between physical, digital and social space allow for a better understanding and thereby mastering of the resulting combined space. Two concepts are explored in MobiTip, a social mobile service for exchanging opinions among peers: intramedia seams concerning network coverage and position technology, and intermedia seams between digitally transmitted tips and the physical, social context surrounding the user. We introduce social positioning as an alternative and a complement to the current strive for seamless connectedness and exact positioning in physical space. 1 Introduction The use of mobile equipment – phones, PDAs, laptop computers – becomes more and more commonplace. Technology equipped with many different means for communication, with video and audio, featuring a number of sophisticated services, is carried around in people's pockets. Since mobile devices are carried everywhere, they provide access to the digital medium everywhere. In addition, as these devices are usually able to connect to global networks and are provided with technology that makes it possible to determine their location, many researchers and designers have seen opportunities for connecting information with the physical world. In such mobile services, a digital space is layered on top of the physical space and made accessible on demand or by using context cues such as geographical location or vicinity to some object. But mobile settings are not only physically and digitally mediated; they are also inhabited by people. Social practices and procedures within both the physical and the digital must be taken into account. We move through both physical and digital places at the same time – and one affects the other. In a wireless world, people will meet others, experience places and situations, have opinions, and be more or less aware of what resources are available to them at different points in time and space. Socially related information can be explicitly or implicitly picked up and made available to others through the wireless devices that we carry with us. Thus, even though there might be no boundaries in digital space for making a phone call while enjoying a play at the theatre, social practices developed in this particular physical place makes such a phone call socially unacceptable. The inappropriateness of the phone call at the theatre is not …