Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Perishability of Data: Dynamic Pricing under Varying-Coefficient Models

We consider a firm that sells a large number of products to its customers in an online fashion. Each product is described by a high dimensional feature vector, and the market value of a product is assumed to be linear in the values of its features. Parameters of the valuation model are unknown and can change over time. The firm sequentially observes a product's features and can use the historical sales data (binary sale/no sale feedbacks) to set the price of current product, with the objective of maximizing the collected revenue. We measure the performance of a dynamic pricing policy via regret, which is the expected revenue loss compared to a clairvoyant that knows the sequence of model parameters in advance. We propose a pricing policy based on projected stochastic gradient descent (PSGD) and characterize its regret in terms of time $T$, features dimension $d$, and the temporal variability in the model parameters, $\delta_t$. We consider two settings. In the first one, feature vectors are chosen antagonistically by nature and we prove that the regret of PSGD pricing policy is of order $O(\sqrt{T} + \sum_{t=1}^T \sqrt{t}\delta_t)$. In the second setting (referred to as stochastic features model), the feature vectors are drawn independently from an unknown distribution. We show that in this case, the regret of PSGD pricing policy is of order $O(d^2 \log T + \sum_{t=1}^T t\delta_t/d)$.
Effects of Calcium on the Sarcomere Length‐Tension Relation in Rat Cardiac Muscle: Implications for the Frank‐Starling Mechanism

The objective of these experiments was to better understand the factors responsible for the decline in tension at short sarcomere lengths in cardiac muscle. We measured the effects of variation of extracellular calcium concentration on the sarcomere length-tension relation in thin trabeculae and papillary muscles excised from right ventricles of rats. Sarcomere lengths were measured by optical diffraction. Experiments were carried out using two protocols. In the primary protocol, the muscle was allowed to contract isometrically. The sarcomeres in the central region, shortened and stretched the end regions adjacent to the clips. The sarcomere length was measured at the time of peak tension and plotted against the active tension. In a secondary protocol, the sarcomere length and tension were measured during contractions in which sarcomere length in the central region was held approximately constant. Both protocols were carried out at extracellular Ca2+concentrations ranging from 0.3 to 5.0 IDM. The height of the length-tension curves was progressively depressed as extracellular Ca2+was reduced from 2.5 to 0.3 min; the variation of the shape of the curve was modest. On the other hand, when Ca2+was increased to 5 DM, there was less upward shift of the sarcomere length-tension relation, indicating a tendency toward saturation. The results obtained using the sarcomere isometric protocol were similar to those obtained with the muscle isometric protocol. Extracellular Ca2+appears to act principally as a modulator of the height of the length-tension curve, though it has a modest effect on the shape as well. On the basis of these results, we deduce that several of the factors previously cited as possible explanations of the decline in tension at short sarcomere length are not likely candidates. Circ Res 47: 610-619, 1980
Exploring the Core Concepts of Media Richness Theory: The Impact of Cue Multiplicity and Feedback Immediacy on Decision Quality

Employing media richness theory, a model is developed to open the black box surrounding the impact of computer-mediated communication systems on decision quality. The effects on decision quality of two important communication system factors, cue multiplicity and feedback immediacy, are examined in light of three important mediating constructs: social perceptions, message clarity, and ability to evaluate others. A laboratory experiment examining two tasks and employing face-to-face, electronic meeting, electronic conferencing, and electronic mail communication systems is used to assess the model's validity. Results provide consistent support for the research model as well as media richness theory. Richer media facilitate social perceptions (total socio-emotional communication and positive socio-emotional climate) and perceived ability to evaluate others' deception and expertise. Leaner media (electronic mail and electronic conferencing) facilitate communication clarity when participants have less task-relevant knowledge. The impacts of these mediating constructs on decision quality were found to depend on the levels of participant expertise and deception. In general, it was found that richer media can have significantly positive impacts on decision quality when participants' task-relevant knowledge is high. Moreover, effects of participant deception can be mitigated by employing richer media.
Interactions between macroalgae and the sediment microbial community: Nutrient cycling within shallow coastal bays

ix CHAPTER I: INTRODUCTION . 2 Literature Cited . 13 CHAPTER 2: AN EXPERIMENTAL APPARATUS FOR LABORATORY AND FIELD-BASED PERFUSION OF SEDIMENT POREW ATER WITH DISSOLVED TRACERS . 20 Abstract . 2
Cultural and Genetic Influences on the “Biological Standard of Living”

Abstract This study suggests an improvement of a popular measure of living standards, namely the biological standard of living. One influence on it is a population's consumption pattern. Since there are different dietary patterns all over the world, researchers estimate the influences of national diets on final average male height. These habits are predominantly related to income, but also to genetics, cultural history, and decisions regarding whether to trade or consume high-quality foodstuffs. Systematic differences are found when analyzing protein-consumption habits among 51 countries between the 1960s and the 1980s. The author calculates metric correction values which can facilitate international comparisons of male average height. While the proposed correction values make a little difference on average, they can be valuable in a comparison of countries with markedly different dietary patterns.
Complement-Dependent Lysis of Influenza A Virus-Infected Cells by Broadly Cross-Reactive Human Monoclonal Antibodies

ABSTRACT We characterized human monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) cloned from influenza virus-infected patients and from influenza vaccine recipients by complement-dependent lysis (CDL) assay. Most MAbs active in CDL were neutralizing, but not all neutralizing MAbs can mediate CDL. Two of the three stalk-specific neutralizing MAbs tested were able to mediate CDL and were more cross-reactive to temporally distant H1N1 strains than the conventional hemagglutination-inhibiting and neutralizing MAbs. One of the stalk-specific MAbs was subtype cross-reactive to H1 and H2 hemagglutinins, suggesting a role for stalk-specific antibodies in protection against influenza illness, especially by a novel viral subtype which can cause pandemics.
Stability criteria for Arnoldi-based model-order reduction

Pade approximation is an often-used method for reducing the order of a finite-dimensional, linear, time invariant, signal model. It is known to suffer from two problems: numerical instability during the computation of the Pade coefficients and lack of guaranteed stability for the resulting reduced model even when the original system is stable. We show how the numerical instability problem can be avoided using the Arnoldi algorithm applied to an appropriately chosen Krylov subspace. Moreover, we give an easily computable sufficient condition on the system matrix that guarantees the stability of the reduced model at any approximation order.
Determination of sky background OBD-CoCo-07

The capabilities of measuring the sky background both on-board of GAIA and on-ground are discussed in relation to astrometric and photometric scientific requirements, and to onboard computing specifications. From the various ways of estimating the sky background during the data reduction it is shown that AF11 would be the more adapted, either using its edges or by LSF-fitting. A more computationally efficient way to compute the sky background on-board is proposed.
Comparing the structure of power-law graphs and the Internet AS graph

In this work we devise algorithmic techniques to compare the interconnection structure of the Internet AS graph with that of graphs produced by topology generators that match the power-law degree distribution of the AS graph. We are guided by the existing notion that nodes in the AS graph can be placed in tiers with the resulting graph having an hierarchical structure. Our techniques are based on identifying graph nodes at each tier, decomposing the graph by removing such nodes and their incident edges, and thus explicitly revealing the interconnection structure of the graph. We define quantitative metrics to analyze and compare the decomposition of synthetic power-law graphs with the Internet-AS graph. Through experiments, we observe qualitative similarities in the decomposition structure of the different families of power-law graphs and explain any quantitative differences based on their generative models. We believe our approach provides insight into the interconnection structure of the AS graph and finds continuing applications in evaluating the representativeness of synthetic topology generators.
Serum lipid profile and clinical characteristics of patients with xanthelasma palpebrarum*

Background Although many factors are involved in the etiology of xanthelasma palpebrum, lipid disorder is strongly associated with its induction. Xanthelasma palpebrum, the most common type of xanthoma, usually presents in middle-aged females and results in aesthetic problems. Objective To evaluate thelipid profile and important clinical aspects of xanthelasma palpebrum patients. Methods In this descriptive study, we enrolled 42xanthelasma palpebrumpatients, and 42 cases of non-inflammatory skin disorders as thecontrol group, matched for age and gender.The clinical characteristics of the patients and fasting serum lipid profile were recorded for both groups. The data obtained were analyzed using SPSS-16. Results Xanthelasma palpebrum was found more commonly in middle-aged females with disease onset of less than 1 year, and without significant familial history of xanthoma. Furthermore,xanthelasma lesionswere most often seen in the upper lid with mild extension and was rarely associated with systemic disease. There was no statistically significant difference between two groups regarding hypertriglyceridemia (p= 0.231) and hypercholesterolemia (p= 0.302). The mean serum levels of cholesterol (221.51±60.4 mg/dl), triglyceride (185.98±71.1 mg/dl) and VLDL (37.7±17.6 mg/dl) were significantly higher and themedian HDL (36.2 (31, 41) mg/dl) level was lower in thepatient group. Conclusion In our study, hypercholesterolemia and hypertriglyceridemia did not reveal a significant difference between thepatient and control groups; however, mean serum values for cholesterol, triglyceride, VLDL and HDL showed a significant difference between the two groups. Therefore, in addition to lipid abnormality, other factors could be involved in the pathogenesis of xanthelasma palpebrum.
Measurement of carrier lifetime and linewidth enhancement factor for 1.5- mu m ridge-waveguide laser amplifier

Semiconductor optical amplifiers are used for investigation of the effective carrier lifetime and the linewidth enhancement factor. Contrary to semiconductor lasers, semiconductor optical amplifiers allow measurement at high levels of injected carrier density. The carrier lifetime and the linewidth enhancement factor are measured with a simple dynamic self-heterodyne method. Carrier lifetimes of 750 ps at the threshold current for the SOA without antireflection coating and 200 ps at high injection have been found. The linewidth enhancement factor is measured to be between 4 and 17 which fits with a simple empirical expression. <<ETX>>
A Unified Model of Speech and Tool Use Early Development

Some studies hypothesize a strong interdependence between speech and tool use development in the first two years of life. To help understand the underlying mechanisms, we present the first robotic model learning both speech and tool use from scratch. It focuses on the role of one important form of body babbling where exploration is directed towards self-generated goals in free play, combined with imitation learning of a contingent caregiver. This model does not assume capabilities for complex sequencing and combinatorial planning which are often considered necessary for tool use. Yet, we show that the mechanisms in this model allow a learner to progressively discover how to grab objects with the hand, how to use objects as tools to reach further objects, how to produce vocal sounds, and how to leverage these vocal sounds to use a caregiver as a social tool to retrieve objects. Also, the discovery that certain sounds can be used as a social tool further guides vocal learning. This model predicts that the grounded exploration of objects in a social interaction scenario should accelerate infant vocal learning of accurate sounds for these objects' names.
The landforms and pattern of deglaciation in the strait of magellan and bahía inútil, southernmost south america

ABSTRACT. We report the results of glacial geomorphological mapping of the Strait of Magellan and Bahía Inútil, southernmost South America. Our aims are to determine the pattern and process of deglaciation during the last glacial–interglacial transition, and to provide a firm geomorphological basis for the interpretation of radiocarbon, cosmogenic isotope and amino acid dates for the timing of deglaciation. The area is important because it lies in a southerly location, providing a link between Antarctica and southern mid‐latitudes, and also lies in the zone of the southern westerlies which are a key element in regional climate change. Our mapping shows that it is possible to make a clear weathering and morphological distinction between last glaciation and older landforms and sediments. Within the last glacial deposits we have identified a number of former glacier limits. The key to delineating many of these limits is continuous meltwater channels that run for several kilometres along the outer edge of discontinuous moraine belts. There are four distinct belts of moraines within the deposits of the last glaciation in the central part of the Strait of Magellan. There are two closely spaced major limits (Band C) at the north end of the Strait that reach Punta Arenas airport on the west side, and Península Juan Mazia on the east side. A third limit (D) terminates south of Punta Arenas on the west side, and passes close to Porvenir on the east. In Bahía Inútil there is a more complex pattern with a prominent outer limit (C) and a series of four equally prominent limits (D1 to D4) on both sides of the bay. South of these limits, there is a fourth group of moraine limits (E) on both coasts of the northern end of Isla Dawson, reflecting the last fluctuations of the Magellan glacier before final deglaciation of the southern end of the Strait. There are a number of drumlins within the outer moraine limits. The drumlins are draped by small, younger moraines showing that they have been overridden by subsequent advance(s). The coastlines of the study area are cut by a number of shorelines which record the presence of ice‐dammed lakes in the Strait of Magellan and Bahía Inútil during the later stages of deglaciation. We conclude that there are four main readvances or stillstands that marked the transition from the Last Glacial Maximum to the onset of the Holocene.
Rainfall variability and hydrological and erosive response of an olive tree microcatchment under no‐tillage with a spontaneous grass cover in Spain

Most studies on runoff and soil loss from olive orchards were performed on plots, despite the fact that measurements that examine a range of erosive processes on different scales are essential to evaluate the suitability of the use and soil management of this type of land. The main environmental limitations of much of the land used for olive orchards in the Mediterranean are the steep slopes and the shallow soil depth – and this was the case in the study area. Soil erosion and runoff over two hydrological years (2005–2006 and 2006–2007) were monitored in an olive orchard microcatchment of 6·1 ha under no‐tillage with spontaneous grass in order to evaluate its hydrological and erosive behaviour. Moreover, soil parameters such as organic matter (%OM), bulk density (BD) and hydraulic saturated conductivity (Ks) were also examined in the microcatchment to describe management effects on hydrological balance and on erosive processes.
The dielectric behaviour of clay soils and its application to time domain reflectometry

The dielectric behaviour of 3 soils, a sandy loam (Red Chromosol), a highly structured non-swelling clay (Red Ferrosol), and a self-mulching swelling clay (Black Vertosol), was investigated using a waveguide and network analyser technique in the frequency range 3.0 GHz to 4.5 GHz. Curves relating the real part of the relative permittivity to water content are presented and compared with the general Topp curve. The Chromosol generally followed the Topp curve, but the Ferrosol and Vertosol both had curves below the Topp curve. The Ferrosol showed a maximum horizontal offset of 0.05 m3/m3 from the Topp curve in the mid soil-water content range of 0.2–0.3 m3/m3 offset from the Topp curve of 0.10 m3/m3, with a maximum of 0.12 m3/m3 occurring at a soil water content of 0.4 m3/m3. Similar dielectric curves were obtained for the Chromosol and Vertosol using time domain reflectometry (TDR). With this method, the Chromosol showed very close agreement with the Topp curve, but the Vertosol again gave a curve below the Topp curve, similar to the one obtained using the waveguide and network analyser, but with a smaller maximum horizontal offset of 0.08 m3/m3. The difference between the waveguide and TDR Vertosol curves was mainly attributed to low bulk densities in the waveguide where packing was difficult. Some was also attributed to the wider spectrum of frequencies used by TDR. Use of the Topp curve for TDR measurements in the Vertosol would underestimate its water content by at least 0.06 m3/m3. These results are in good agreement with others obtained from similar soils. Deviations from the Topp curve are attributed to bound water associated with the clay particles and this depends on clay mineralogy and clay content. The presented calibration curves improve the accuracy of TDR measurements in these types of clay soils. A field comparison between water contents measured by TDR and gravimetric sampling in a similar Black Vertosol is presented. This calibration showed that soil water contents can be severely overestimated by using TDR with long probes and cables. This unexpected and opposite result is discussed in terms of attenuated high frequencies in the 15-m-long connecting cable used, errors in depth of probe placement, and changes in bulk density and DC conductivity.
Animal milk sustains micronutrient nutrition and child anthropometry among pastoralists in Samburu, Kenya.

Milk has been integral to pastoralist nutrition for thousands of years, but as communities move toward settled livelihoods, milk consumption is dropping with only minimal evidence for the health and nutrition implications. This longitudinal study aimed to first test whether increased dependency on agriculture reduced household milk production and consumption, and ultimately, nutrient adequacy among the Samburu pastoralists. Second, we investigated whether household milk availability affected child milk intakes and anthropometry. Socioeconomic and dietary intake data were collected from households (n = 200) in 2000, 2005, and 2010, and anthropometric measures and individual child milk intakes in 2012. Nutrient intakes were assessed by the probability of nutrient adequacy method, and generalized least-squared regression modeling with mixed effects was applied to identify predictors of milk consumption. Milk contributed 10% of energy intakes, below maize (52%) and sugar (11%), but over one-half of critical micronutrients, vitamins A, B12 , and C. Livestock holdings and income increased the likelihood of higher milk intakes (overall adj R(2) = 0.88, P < 0.001). Undernutrition was widely prevalent among young children: stunting (30.6%); underweight (23.9%); and wasting (8.6%). There was evidence for a previously described Nilotic body type in the youth, who were taller and thinner than the international reference. Milk consumption at the household level was positively associated with higher body mass index z scores among youth (P < 0.001). Programming for livestock development may better ensure micronutrient nutrition in Samburu, while deeper investigation into the diet and growth patterns of pastoralists could provide insight into leaner and taller anthropometrics for other populations globally.
Kinetics of desmosome assembly in Madin-Darby canine kidney epithelial cells: temporal and spatial regulation of desmoplakin organization and stabilization upon cell-cell contact. II. Morphological analysis

Biochemical analysis of the kinetics of assembly of two cytoplasmic plaque proteins of the desmosome, desmoplakins I (250,000 Mr) and II (215,000 Mr), in Madin-Darby canine kidney (MDCK) epithelial cells, demonstrated that these proteins exist in a soluble and insoluble pool, as defined by their extract ability in a Triton X-100 high salt buffer (CSK buffer). Upon cell-cell contact, there is a rapid increase in the capacity of the insoluble pool at the expense of the soluble pool; subsequently, the insoluble pool is stabilized, while proteins remaining in the soluble pool continue to be degraded rapidly (Pasdar, M., and W. J. Nelson. 1988. J. Cell Biol. 106:677-685). In this paper, we have sought to determine the spatial distribution of the soluble and insoluble pools of desmoplakins I and II, and their organization in the absence and presence of cell-cell contact by using differential extraction procedures and indirect immunofluorescence microscopy. In the absence of cell-cell contact, two morphologically and spatially distinct patterns of staining of desmoplakins I and II were observed: a pattern of discrete spots in the cytoplasm and perinuclear region, which is insoluble in CSK buffer; and a pattern of diffuse perinuclear staining, which is soluble in CSK buffer, but which is preserved when cells are fixed in 100% methanol at -20 degrees C. Upon cell-cell contact, in the absence or presence of protein synthesis, the punctate staining pattern of desmoplakins I and II is cleared rapidly and efficiently from the cytoplasm to the plasma membrane in areas of cell- cell contact (less than 180 min). The distribution of the diffuse perinuclear staining pattern remains relatively unchanged and becomes the principal form of desmoplakins I and II in the cytoplasm 180 min after induction of cell-cell contact. Thereafter, the relative intensity of staining of the diffuse pattern gradually diminishes and is completely absent 2-3 d after induction of cell-cell contact. Significantly, double immunofluorescence shows that during desmosome assembly on the plasma membrane both staining patterns coincide with a subpopulation of cytokeratin intermediate filaments. Taken together with the preceding biochemical analysis, we suggest that the assembly of desmoplakins I and II in MDCK epithelial cells is regulated at three discrete stages during the formation of desmosomes.