Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Revenue maximization with dynamic auctions in IaaS cloud markets

Cloud service pricing plays a pivotal role towards the success of cloud computing. Existing pricing schemes, however, either provide no service guarantees (e.g., Spot Instances in Amazon EC2), or use static on-demand pricing in which the price cannot respond quickly to market dynamics (e.g., On-demand Instances in Amazon EC2). To overcome these problems, in this paper we design dynamic auctions where computing instances are periodically auctioned off to accommodate user demands over time. We address the two main challenges of revenue maximization and auction truthfulness. Our design encompasses a capacity allocation scheme, which determines the amount of instances to be auctioned off in each period, as well as the underlying auction mechanisms, based on dynamic payment schemes corresponding to the proposed capacity allocations over time. We show that our design is two-dimensionally truthful, and it is asymptotically optimal when demand is sufficiently high. Furthermore, by identifying certain optimization structures, we substantially reduce the computational complexity of our solution. Extensive simulations show that our design closely tracks market changes, while generating higher revenues than on-demand pricing.
Spatial scaling of optical fluctuations during substorm-time aurora

A study of statistical features of auroras during substorm activity is presented, emphasizing characteristics which are commonly applied to turbulent flows. Data from all-sky television (TV) observations from the Barentsburg observatory (Svalbard) have been used. Features of the probability density function (PDF) of auroral fluctuations have been examined at different spatial scales. We find that the observed PDFs generally have a non-Gaussian, heavy-tailed shape. The generalized structure function (GSF) for the auroral luminosity fluctuations has been analyzed to determine the scaling properties of the higher (up to 6) order moments, and the evolution of the scaling indices during the actual substorm event has been determined. The scaling features obtained can be interpreted as signatures of turbulent motion of the magnetosphere-ionosphere plasma. Relations to previously obtained results of avalanche analysis of the same event, as well as possible implications for the validity of self-organized criticality models and turbulence models of the substorm activity, are discussed.
Leadership approaches in group physical activity: a systematic review

ABSTRACT The purpose of this paper was to systematically review leadership approaches (leader behaviours + styles) in group physical activity (PA) settings with nonclinical adults so as to capture leisure-time PA pursuits. Specific objectives were to assess what leadership approaches have been implemented, effects of those approaches, and potential mediators of leadership-PA behaviour relationship. Eligibility criteria: leadership approach as the main variable under study and healthy adults in instructor-led recreational PA. Electronic database searches yielded 18 eligible studies. Narrative synthesis was used to appraise the data. Themes included implemented leadership approaches, outcome of leadership approach on PA behaviour, and potential mediators: intention to return, group cohesion, enjoyment, and perceived autonomy support. Findings supported leadership’s effect on PA behaviour. Findings supported: (1) leadership’s effect on PA behaviour and (2) group cohesion and perceived autonomy support as potential mediators. Future research could include mediation analyses and how leadership approach affects PA uptake separately from maintenance.
From Recession to Recovery: How Soon and How Strong

This paper examines recessions and recoveries in advanced economies and the role of countercyclical macroeconomic policies. Are recessions and recoveries associated with financial crises different from others? What are the main features of globally synchronized recessions? Can countercyclical policies help to shorten recessions and strengthen recoveries? The results suggest that recessions associated with financial crises tend to be unusually severe and that recoveries from such recessions are typically slow. Similarly, globally synchronized recessions are often long and deep, and recoveries from these recessions are generally weak. Countercyclical monetary policy can help shorten recessions, but its effectiveness is limited in financial crises. By contrast, expansionary fiscal policy seems particularly effective in shortening recessions associated with financial crises and in boosting recoveries. However, its effectiveness is a decreasing function of the level of public debt. These findings suggest that the current recession is likely to be unusually long and severe and the recovery sluggish.
Technological diversification and strategic alliances

This paper examines empirically the relationship between the internal technological profile and the diversification through strategic alliances of the largest 219 industrial firms world-wide. It explores three related issues. First, the paper shows that firms? internal technological diversification is more pronounced than external technological diversification. Second, it confirms the idea that technological diversification is more pronounced than product and market diversification. Finally, by means of multiple correlation analysis, this work studies the relationship between firms? economic performance, internal technological diversification and diversification through strategic alliances. The empirical investigation combines firm level data on US patents, strategic technological alliances, production and marketing alliances, and firms? economic performances.
Left frontal hypoactivation in depression.

Baseline resting electroencephalogram activity was recorded with 3 different reference montages from 15 clinically depressed and 13 control subjects. Power in all frequency bands was extracted by fast Fourier transformation. There was a significant Group X Hemisphere interaction in the mid-frontal region, for the alpha band power only. Depressed subjects had less left-sided activation (i.e., more alpha activity) than did normal control subjects. This pattern of diminished left-sided frontal activation is interpreted as indicating a deficit in approach mechanisms in depressed subjects.
Structure and Function of Parkin, PINK1, and DJ-1, the Three Musketeers of Neuroprotection

Autosomal recessive forms of Parkinson’s disease are caused by mutations in three genes: Parkin, PINK1, and DJ-1. These genes encode for proteins with distinct enzymatic activities that may work together to confer neuroprotection. Parkin is an E3 ubiquitin ligase that has been shown to ubiquitinate substrates and to trigger proteasome-dependent degradation or autophagy, two crucial homeostatic processes in neurons. PINK1 is a mitochondrial protein kinase whose activity is required for Parkin-dependent mitophagy, a process that has been linked to neurodegeneration. Finally, DJ-1 is a protein homologous to a broad class of bacterial enzymes that may function as a sensor and modulator of reactive oxygen species, which have been implicated in neurodegenerative diseases. Here, we review the literature on the structure and biochemical functions of these three proteins.
How does the foundation staff of a new Catholic coeducation secondary school experience teaching social and emotional learning within school structures and as a regular component of an integrated curriculum

The building of new schools in Australia is not an uncommon occurrence, however, there is little research that guides education authorities on ‘how’ to address the challenges that staff experience as they endeavour to establish, develop and sustain the educational visions, so as not to revert to past practices. In a rapidly changing society, a model of education must equip young people with development of personal characteristics and attitudes to navigate the complexities and challenges of the world in which they live and work. A new school provides a unique opportunity to re-imagine a model of education that meets the needs of learners and teachers in the twenty-first century. This thesis presents a case study of a new systemic Catholic secondary coeducational school, with a focus on exploring the foundation staff’s experiences as they adapt to integrating social and emotional learning (SEL) as a regular component of a cross-curriculum in a new school setting. The purpose of the study is threefold: to document the staff’s perspectives and experiences during the establishment and development phase of the school; to investigate the implications of teaching SEL as a cross-curricula innovation; and to add to the research literature on new schools and build on the research on SEL implementation. Data collection consisted of in-depth interviews with nominated Diocesan staff and the school’s foundation staff over a two-and-a-half year period and triangulated with secondary sources namely, school documentation, the researcher’s reflections through journal notes and seminal studies on new schools and social and emotional learning. Data analysis occurred through three stages and were compared and contrasted with the available literature on new school or school reform and social and emotional learning. Results supported earlier research on new schools development and social and emotional learning implementation. There were common experiences, both successful and challenging. Two successes were
Effects of congruence between preferred and perceived learning environments in nursing education in Taiwan: a cross-sectional study

Objective To investigate the effects of congruence between preferred and perceived learning environments on learning outcomes of nursing students. Setting A nursing course at a university in central Taiwan. Participants 124 Taiwanese nursing students enrolled in a 13-week problem-based Fundamental Nursing curriculum. Design and methods Students' preferred learning environment, perceptions about the learning environment and learning outcomes (knowledge, self-efficacy and attitudes) were assessed. On the basis of test scores measuring their preferred and perceived learning environments, students were assigned to one of two groups: a ‘preferred environment aligned with perceived learning environment’ group and a ‘preferred environment discordant with perceived learning environment’ group. Learning outcomes were analysed by group. Outcome measures Most participants preferred learning in a classroom environment that combined problem-based and lecture-based instruction. However, a mismatch of problem-based instruction with students' perceptions occurred. Learning outcomes were significantly better when students' perceptions of their instructional activities were congruent with their preferred learning environment. Conclusions As problem-based learning becomes a focus of educational reform in nursing, teachers need to be aware of students' preferences and perceptions of the learning environment. Teachers may also need to improve the match between an individual student's perception and a teacher's intention in the learning environment, and between the student's preferred and actual perceptions of the learning environment.
On the Shape of Pulse Spectra in Gamma-Ray Bursts

The discovery (by Liang & Kargatis) that the peak energy of time-resolved spectra of gamma-ray burst (GRB) pulses decays exponentially with fluence is analytically shown to imply that the time-integrated photon number spectrum of a pulse should have a unique shape, given by an underlying E-1 behavior. We also show that the asymptotic low-energy normalization of the time-integrated spectrum is equal to the exponential decay constant. We study analytically how this general behavior is modified in more realistic situations and show that diversity is then introduced in the properties of time-integrated GRB pulse spectra. We argue that further diversity will occur in time-integrated multipulse (complex) GRB spectra. The total energy received per cm2 is approximately the decay constant times the maximum peak energy of the pulse. We derive a five-parameter expression for the time-integrated pulse spectrum, where the parameters describe the time-resolved spectra and their time evolution. This result can then be used when studying observed GRB pulse spectra. We illustrate with the bright burst GRB 910807, and comment on GRB 910525 and GRB 921207.
Overexpression of Neurotrophin-3 Stimulates a Second Wave of Dopaminergic Amacrine Cell Genesis after Birth in the Mouse Retina

Dopaminergic amacrine (DA) cells play multiple and important roles in retinal function. Neurotrophins are known to modulate the number and morphology of DA cells, but the underlying regulatory mechanisms are unclear. Here, we investigate how neurotrophin-3 (NT-3) regulates DA cell density in the mouse retina. We demonstrate that overexpression of NT-3 upregulates DA cell number and leads to a consequent increase in the density of DA cell dendrites. To examine the mechanisms of DA cell density increase, we further investigate the effect of NT-3 overexpression on retinal apoptosis and mitosis during development. We find that NT-3 does not affect the well known wave of retinal cell apoptosis that normally occurs during the first 2 weeks after birth. Instead, overexpression of NT-3 promotes additional mitosis of DA cells at postnatal day 4, but does not affect cell mitosis before birth, the peak period of amacrine cell genesis in wild-type retinas. We next show that retinal explants cultured from birth to day 7 without extra NT-3 produced by lens exhibit similar number of DA cells as in wild type, further supporting the notion that postnatal overexpression of lens-derived NT-3 affects DA cell number. Moreover, the additional mitosis after birth in NT-3-overexpressing mice does not occur in calretinin-positive amacrine cells or PKC-positive rod ON bipolar cells. Thus, the NT-3-triggered wave of cell mitosis after birth is specific for the retinal DA cells.
Ras Oncogene-Mediated Progressive Silencing of Extracellular Superoxide Dismutase in Tumorigenesis

Extracellular superoxide dismutase (SOD3) is a secreted enzyme that uses superoxide anion as a substrate in a dismutase reaction that results in the formation of hydrogen peroxide. Both of these reactive oxygen species affect growth signaling in cells. Although SOD3 has growth-supporting characteristics, the expression of SOD3 is downregulated in epithelial cancer cells. In the current work, we studied the mechanisms regulating SOD3 expression in vitro using thyroid cell models representing different stages of thyroid cancer. We demonstrate that a low level of RAS activation increases SOD3 mRNA synthesis that then gradually decreases with increasing levels of RAS activation and the decreasing degree of differentiation of the cancer cells. Our data indicate that SOD3 regulation can be divided into two classes. The first class involves RAS–driven reversible regulation of SOD3 expression that can be mediated by the following mechanisms: RAS GTPase regulatory genes that are responsible for SOD3 self-regulation; RAS-stimulated p38 MAPK activation; and RAS-activated increased expression of the mir21 microRNA, which inversely correlates with sod3 mRNA expression. The second class involves permanent silencing of SOD3 mediated by epigenetic DNA methylation in cells that represent more advanced cancers. Therefore, the work suggests that SOD3 belongs to the group of ras oncogene-silenced genes.
Analisis Pengaruh Fundamental Makro dan Indeks Harga Global terhadap IHSG [English: Effect of Macro Fundamental and Global Price Index on Global Stock Price Index]

The purpose of this paper is to examine the effect of a number of macro economic indicators to IHSG. This paper using multiple regression analysis to examine the effect of a number of macro economic indicators to IHSG. This paper finding that macroeconomic variables affect the movement of IHSG. During the observation period, Oil Price, Gold Price, Dow Jones Index, and Hangseng Index have a positive impact to IHSG Movement. While SBI Rate, Rupiah Exchange Rate, and Nikkei 225 Index have a negative impact to IHSG movement. Although IHSG often used as a reference by investor to observer the movement of stocks market in Indonesia (Bisnis Indonesia,2007), IHSG has a weakness that is movement often caused by the movement of stocks tha have a large capitalization value (M. Samsul, 2008). Keywords: Stock Market, Macro Economic Indicator, Globalization.
Synthetic Aperture Radar Image Coding

Abstract : Many factors govern the design of image coding systems, ranging from the sensor type through storage and transmission limitations to the imagery end use. Image compression performance depends on the costs of storage or transmission bandwidth (in bits per pixel), computational burden (in operations per second), information loss (utility), and artifacts that may change the receiver operating characteristics (probability of detection versus number of false alarms per area). We describe how general image coding concepts are specialized for synthetic aperture radar (SAR) imagery; and we discuss design trade offs with respect to representation systems, quantizers, and bit allocation. We also discuss criteria and techniques for evaluating the performance of compression systems.
A high-throughput qPCR system for simultaneous quantitative detection of dairy Lactococcus lactis and Leuconostoc bacteriophages

Simultaneous quantitative detection of Lactococcus (Lc.) lactis and Leuconostoc species bacteriophages (phages) has not been reported in dairies using undefined mixed-strain DL-starters, probably due to the lack of applicable methods. We optimized a high-throughput qPCR system that allows simultaneous quantitative detection of Lc. lactis 936 (now SK1virus), P335, c2 (now C2virus) and Leuconostoc phage groups. Component assays are designed to have high efficiencies and nearly the same dynamic detection ranges, i.e., from ~1.1 x 105 to ~1.1 x 101 phage genomes per reaction, which corresponds to ~9 x 107 to ~9 x 103 phage particles mL-1 without any additional up-concentrating steps. The amplification efficiencies of the corresponding assays were 100.1±2.6, 98.7±2.3, 101.0±2.3 and 96.2±6.2. The qPCR system was tested on samples obtained from a dairy plant that employed traditional mother-bulk-cheese vat system. High levels of 936 and P335 phages were detected in the mother culture and the bulk starter, but also in the whey samples. Low levels of phages were detected in the cheese milk samples.
Combining Parallel Treebanks and Geo-Tagging

This paper describes a new kind of semantic annotation in parallel treebanks. We build French-German parallel treebanks of mountaineering reports, a text genre that abounds with geographical names which we classify and ground with reference to a large gazetteer of Swiss toponyms. We discuss the challenges in obtaining a high recall and precision in automatic grounding, and sketch how we represent the grounding information in our treebank.
Task enjoyment and opportunity costs in the lab - the effect of financial incentives on performance in real effort tasks

This study is directly motivated by the results of Eckartz et al (2012). Subjects exerted suprisingly high efforts irrespectively of how they were compensated. This paper discusses a number of potential explanations and then it will focus on two of them: first, subjects might exert effort simply because they enjoy working on the tasks. Second, subjects might exert effort because they feel obliged to do so or because they do not have opportunity costs of working. These questions are crucial to better understand the robustness of experimental results and also to be eventually able to transfer the results to the world outside the laboratory. We replicate our earlier results: in the baseline treatment we do not find effects of incentive schemes on the output. Decreasing the attractiveness of the tasks, we also do not observe differences between the incentive schemes. When we introduce, however, a paid outside option, the efforts are higher in the performance-dependent pay treatments than under flat payment. The size of the effect differs between the tasks, the direction is, however, the same.
Meta-analysis for Explaining the Variance in Public Transport Demand Elasticities in Europe

Results from past studies on transportation demand elasticities show a large variance. This paper assesses key factors that influence the sensitivity of public transit users to transportation costs in Europe, by carrying out a comparative analysis of the different elasticity values of demand for transportation that are being used in some different member states. The empirical base is elasticity studies in Norway, Finland, the Netherlands and the United Kingdom. The paper identifies a set of potential factors causing variances between results of different studies. An in depth rough set analysis of causes of variances between elasticity values across the four countries is presented. The analysis supports the literature, which indicates that the difference between aggregated, empirical-based research methods and the use of disaggregated choice models, as well as model assumptions, explain the variance in elasticity values accross studies. It also appears that the country involved, the number of competitive modes, and type of data are important factors for the size of elasticities.
Development of immunoassays for biomonitoring of hexamethylene diisocyanate exposure.

Hexamethylene diisocyanate (HDI) is used widely to manufacture polyurethanes for paints and coatings. It is an irritant and a chemical asthmagen. The U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration time-weighted average permissible exposure limit is 5 ppb and the ceiling limit is 20 ppb. We sought to develop a sensitive and specific immuno-bioassay to supplement workplace air monitoring and detect recent HDI exposure. For this, we produced rabbit antiserum to HDI-adducted keyhole limpet hemocyanin (HDI-KLH). The specificity of the antiserum was demonstrated by its reaction with a variety of HDI-conjugated proteins and the absence of reactions with conjugates of other diisocyanates, namely toluene diisocyanate and diphenyl methylene diisocyanate. Four immunoassays were developed and compared for their ability to detect decreasing quantities of HDI-adducted human serum albumin (HSA) containing 2 mol HDI adduct per mol HSA (HDI(2)-HSA) as determined by matrix-assisted laser desorption time-of-flight (MALDI-TOF) mass spectrometry. The sensitivities of some of the assays are within the range (0.82-45 nM) of current analytic methods. A Western analysis procedure has a sensitivity of 600 nM HDI adduct on HSA. ELISA inhibition assay, in which microtiter plates are coated with the HDI(2)-HSA antigen, has a sensitivity of 300 nM HDI adduct. An immunoblot assay has a sensitivity of 9 nM HDI adduct. The most sensitive bioassay (1.8 nM HDI adduct) is a three-antibody sandwich ELISA in which wells of microtiter plates are coated with the IgG fraction of the anti-HDI-KLH antisera. Compared with analytic methods for HDI biomonitoring, the immunoassays are faster and less costly and accommodate numerous samples simultaneously. The assays have the potential to affect industrial biomonitoring programs significantly.
On Modularity - NP-Completeness and Beyond

Modularity is a recently introduced quality measure for graph clusterings. It has immediately received considerable attention in several disciplines, and in particular in the complex systems literature, although its properties are not well understood. We here present first results on the computational and analytical properties of modularity. The complexity status of modularity maximization is resolved showing that the corresponding decision version is NP-complete in the strong sense. We also give a formulation as an Integer Linear Program (ILP) to facilitate exact optimization, and provide results on the approximation factor of the commonly used greedy algorithm. Completing our investigation, we characterize clusterings with maximum modularity for several graph families.