DroidNet: An Android Application Security Framework through Crowdsourcing

In the current Android architecture, users have to decide whether an app is safe to use or not by themselves. Savvy users can make correct decisions to avoid unnecessary privacy breaches, however most users are not capable or do not care to make impactful decisions. To assist those users, we propose DroidNet, an Android permission control framework based on crowdsourcing. In this framework, DroidNet runs new apps and their permissions initially, and then collects data based on each individual user’s settings in regards to each permission unique to every installed app. After collecting each user’s data, DroidNet provides recommendations on whether to accept or reject the permission requests based on decisions from peer expert users. To seek expert users, we utilize an expertise ranking algorithm using a transitional Bayesian inference model. The recommendation, respective to each application permission, is based on the aggregated expert responses and our generated confidence level, which are collectively stored and sorted in our DroidNet database. The overall culmination of the model resulted in the creation of a real-time Android application which utilizes our Bayesian inference model and aggregate data from each individual user, all of which is connected to our DroidNet database.https://scholarscompass.vcu.edu/capstone/1173/thumbnail.jp

Paying the Price: How Health Insurance Premiums Are Eating Up Middle-Class Incomes

Analyzes state-by-state trends in insurance premium costs and as a share of household income. Compares projected cost increases by 2015 and 2020 under three scenarios for growth depending on the effects of healthcare reform. Discusses policy implications

Women at Risk: Why Many Women Are Forgoing Needed Health Care

Based on Commonwealth Fund 2007 Biennial Health Insurance Survey data, compares women's rates of uninsurance or underinsurance, sources of coverage, out-of-pocket and premium expenses, access to care, medical debt, and unmet needs, with those of men

The Evaluation of an Android Permission Management System Based on Crowdsourcing

Mobile and web application security, particularly concerning the area of data privacy, has received much attention from the public in recent years. Most applications are installed without disclosing full information to users and clearly stating what they have access to. This often raises concerns when users become aware of unnecessary information being collected or stored. Unfortunately, most users have little to no technical knowledge in regard to what permissions should be granted and can only rely on their intuition and past experiences to make relatively uninformed decisions. DroidNet, a crowdsource based Android recommendation tool and framework, is a proposed avenue for the technically incapable. DroidNet alleviates privacy concerns and presents users with permission recommendations of high confidence based on the decisions from expert users on the network who are using the same applications. The framework combines an interactive user interface, used for data collection and presenting permission recommendations to users, with a transitional Bayesian inference model and multiple algorithms used for rating users based on their respective expertise levels. As a result, the recommendations that are provided to users are based on aggregated expert responses and their confidence levels. This work presents the completed DroidNet project in its entirety, including the implementation of the application, algorithms, and user interface itself. Additionally, this thesis presents and utilizes a unique collection of real-world data from actual Android users. The primary goal of this work is to evaluate the effectiveness and accuracy of DroidNet\u27s recommendations and to show that regular mobile device users can benefit from crowdsourcing

An Analysis of Leading Congressional Health Care Bills, 2007-2008: Part I, Insurance Coverage

Compares coverage and cost estimates of bills to improve health coverage through private-public approaches, universal public insurance, tax changes, increased coverage for children and the disabled, expanded health savings accounts, and other strategies

Realizing Health Reform's Potential: Women and the Affordable Care Act of 2010

Outlines the 2010 healthcare reform provisions that will benefit women, including subsidized and improved coverage and bans on lifetime caps, rescissions, and rating on gender. Analyzes how each will address women's growing exposure to healthcare costs

The 2008 Presidential Candidates' Health Reform Proposals: Choices for America

Looks at key differences in the 2008 presidential candidates' health insurance reforms and evaluates them against the Commonwealth Fund Commission on a High Performance Health System's principles. Estimates each plan's impact on the number of uninsured

Failure to Protect: Why the Individual Insurance Market Is Not a Viable Option for Most U.S. Families

Based on the Commonwealth Fund 2007 Biennial Health Insurance Survey, examines access to and affordability of individual insurance. Reviews obstacles to obtaining coverage, such as health issues and costs, and out-of-pocket costs of those who obtain it

Maintaining Health Insurance During a Recession: Likely COBRA Eligibility

Assesses laid-off workers' eligibility and financial ability to extend employer-sponsored insurance through COBRA. Recommends extending COBRA and providing premium assistance, as well as expanding Medicaid and State Children's Health Insurance Programs

Squamous Cell Cancers: A Unified Perspective on Biology and Genetics.

Squamous cell carcinomas (SCCs) represent the most frequent human solid tumors and are a major cause of cancer mortality. These highly heterogeneous tumors arise from closely interconnected epithelial cell populations with intrinsic self-renewal potential inversely related to the stratified differentiation program. SCCs can also originate from simple or pseudo-stratified epithelia through activation of quiescent cells and/or a switch in cell-fate determination. Here, we focus on specific determinants implicated in the development of SCCs by recent large-scale genomic, genetic, and epigenetic studies, and complementary functional analysis. The evidence indicates that SCCs from various body sites, while clinically treated as separate entities, have common determinants, pointing to a unified perspective of the disease and potential new avenues for prevention and treatment