Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Optimal pricing strategy for the perishable food supply chain

This research investigates the optimal pricing strategy for the perishable food supply chain. Using the setting of a two-echelon supply chain including a supplier and a retailer, we apply the game theory approach to derive the equilibriums for both a single pricing strategy and a two-stage pricing strategy. Through a comparison of the equilibriums, we explore how the two pricing strategies affect the supply chain’s decisions and supplier’s and retailer’s performance individually and collectively. The results of the analysis show that the optimal choice of pricing strategy depends on the price markdown cost and its relationship with the two critical thresholds that are determined by a combination of factors including the potential market size, the price and quality sensitivity factors, the initial quality, the unit product cost, and the quality deterioration rate.
Polymorphism of Candidate Genes for Meat Quality in Sheep

A number of candidate genes have been identified as potentially relevant to sheep meat quality traits. Studies provide molecular evidences that the degradation of myofibrillar proteins in muscle related to the calpain system shows strong impact on the variation of meat characteristics. Indeed, the functional candidate gene, Calpastatin (CAST) is a specific inhibitor of calpains, making the CAST gene an excellent candidate for meat tenderness of sheep. The objective of the study was to evaluate the polymorphism on one of these candidate genes in lori sheep strain. Genomic DNA was extracted from 100 Sheep blood sample. Polymerase chain reaction was performed to amplify a 622bp fragment of exon and intron I from L domain of the ovine calpastatin. Restriction reaction of PCR products was done using MspI enzyme. The MspI digestion of the PCR products produced digestion fragments of 336 bp and 286 bp. The results showed genotypes AA, AB and BB had a frequencies 32.2, 63.2 and 4.6 respectively. Also results showed that this locus was not at Hardy – Weinberg equilibrium in the Lori sheep strain.
Direct finite element method for nonlinear earthquake analysis of 3‐dimensional semi‐unbounded dam–water–foundation rock systems

A direct finite element method for nonlinear earthquake analysis of 2‐dimensional dam–water–foundation rock systems has recently been presented. The analysis procedure uses standard viscous‐damper absorbing boundaries to model the semi‐unbounded foundation‐rock and fluid domains and specifies the seismic input as effective earthquake forces at these boundaries. Presented in this paper is a generalization of the direct finite element method with viscous‐damper boundaries to 3‐dimensional dam–water–foundation rock systems. Step‐by‐step procedures for determining the effective earthquake forces starting from a ground motion specified at a control point on the foundation‐rock surface is developed, and several numerical examples are computed and compared with independent benchmark solutions to demonstrate the effectiveness of the analysis procedure for modeling 3‐dimensional systems.
Fertility and family planning in Papua New Guinea—a reply

Overall, there appears to be some indication that Agyei's sample may overrepresent women with some education and with higher status occupations. The most detailed demographic study of Melanesia, the Fiji Fertility Survey, showed that uneducated Melanesian women were less likely to use contraception than were women with some education (World Fertility Survey, 1974). If this also holds true in Papua New Guinea, it could explain why Agyei's usage rates are substantially higher than other estimates.
Predicting Freeway Work Zone Capacity Distribution Based on Logistic Speed-Density Models

Speed-volume-density relationship and capacity are key elements in modelling traffic operations, designing roadways, and evaluating facility performance. This paper uses a modified five-parameter logistic model to describe the speed-density relationship. The calibrated speed-density models show that the stop-and-go speed (Vb) and shape parameters (θ1 and θ2) are similar for work zones and the nonwork zone site. Accordingly, an operational capacity prediction method is proposed. To demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed method, the predicted operational capacities are compared with the field data, Highway Capacity Manual method, the output of WorkZoneQ software, and the ensemble tree approach under different work zone scenarios. Furthermore, a lifetime distribution prediction framework for stochastic capacity of work zones is proposed. The predicted lifetime distribution can well capture the tendency of the observed work zone capacities.
Oximetry alone versus portable polygraphy for sleep apnea screening

Background Screening for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is recommended as part of the preoperative assessment of obese patients scheduled for bariatric surgery. The objective of this study was to compare the sensitivity of oximetry alone versus portable polygraphy in the preoperative screening for OSA. Methods Polygraphy (type III potiable monitor) and oximehy data recorded as part of the preoperative assessment before bariatric surge1y from 68 consecutive patients were reviewed. We compared the sensitivity of 3% or 4% desaturation index (oximetry alone) with the apnea-hypopnea index (AHI; polygraphy) to diagnose OSA and classify the patients as normal ( <l 0 events per hour), mild to moderate (10-30 events per hour), or severe (>30 events per hour). Results Using AHI, the prevalence of OSA (AHI> 10 per hour) was 57.4%: 16.2% of the patients were classified as severe, 41.2% as mild to moderate, and 42.6% as normal. Using 3% desaturation index, 22.1 % were classified as severe, 47.1 % as mild to moderate, and 30.9% as normal. With 4% desaturation index, 17.6% were classified as severe, 32.4% as mild, and 50% as normal. Overall, 3% desaturation index compared to AHI yielded a 95% negative predictive value to rule out OSA (AHI> 10 per hour) and a 100% sensitivity (0.73 positive predictive value) to detect severe OSA (AHI>30 per hour). Conclusions Using oximetry with 3% desaturation index as a screening tool for OSA could allow us to rule out significant OSA in almost a third of the patients and to detect patients with severe OSA. This cheap and widely available technique could accelerate preoperative work-up of these patients.
Outcomes After In-Hospital Cardiac Arrest in Children With Cardiac DiseaseClinical Perspective

Background— Small studies suggest that children experiencing a cardiac arrest after undergoing cardiac surgery have better outcomes than other groups of patients, but the survival outcomes and periarrest variables of cardiac and noncardiac pediatric patients have not been compared. Methods and Results— All cardiac arrests in patients <18 years of age were identified from Get With the Guidelines–Resuscitation from 2000 to 2008. Cardiac arrests occurring in the neonatal intensive care unit were excluded. Of 3323 index cardiac arrests, 19% occurred in surgical-cardiac, 17% in medical-cardiac, and 64% in noncardiac (trauma, surgical-noncardiac, and medical-noncardiac) patients. Survival to hospital discharge was significantly higher in the surgical-cardiac group (37%) compared with the medical-cardiac group (28%; adjusted odds ratio, 1.8; 95% confidence interval, 1.3–2.5) and the noncardiac group (23%; adjusted odds ratio, 1.8; 95% confidence interval, 1.4–2.4). Those in the cardiac groups were younger and less likely to have preexisting noncardiac organ dysfunction, but were more likely to have ventricular arrhythmias as their first pulseless rhythm, to be monitored and hospitalized in the intensive care unit at the time of cardiac arrest, and to have extracorporeal cardiopulmonary resuscitation compared with those in the noncardiac group. There was no survival advantage for patients in the medical-cardiac group compared with those in the noncardiac group when adjusted for periarrest variables. Conclusion— Children with surgical-cardiac disease have significantly better survival to hospital discharge after an in-hospital cardiac arrest compared with children with medical-cardiac disease and noncardiac disease. # Clinical Perspective {#article-title-25}
AGI May 41/5

Santuré, Marta, Maryse Pitre, Nathalie Gaudreault, André Marette, André Nadeau, and Hélène Bachelard. Effect of metformin on the vascular and glucose metabolic actions of insulin in hypertensive rats. Am J Physiol Gastrointest Liver Physiol 278: G682–G692, 2000. —We investigated the long-term effect of metformin treatment on blood pressure, insulin sensitivity, and vascular responses to insulin in conscious spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR). The rats were instrumented with intravascular catheters and pulsed Doppler flow probes to measure blood pressure, heart rate, and blood flow. Insulin sensitivity was assessed by the euglycemic hyperinsulinemic clamp technique. Two groups of SHR received metformin (100 or 300 mg·kg21 ·day21) for 3 wk while another group of SHR and a group of Wistar Kyoto (WKY) rats were left untreated. We found that vasodilation of skeletal muscle and renal vasculatures by insulin is impaired in SHR. Moreover, a reduced insulin sensitivity was detected in vivo and in vitro in isolated soleus and extensor digitorum longus muscles from SHR compared with WKY rats. Three weeks of treatment with metformin improves the whole-body insulin-mediated glucose disposal in SHR but has no blood pressure-lowering effect and no influence on vascular responses to insulin (4 mU·kg21 ·min21). An improvement in insulin-mediated glucose transport activity was detected in isolated muscles from metformin-treated SHR, but in the absence of insulin no changes in basal glucose transport activity were observed. It is suggested that part of the beneficial effect of metformin on insulin resistance results from a potentiation of the hormone-stimulating effect on glucose transport in peripheral tissues (mainly skeletal muscle). The results argue against a significant antihypertensive or vascular effect of metformin in SHR.
Sex and gender in treatment response to dialectical behaviour therapy: current knowledge, gaps, and future directions

Abstract Borderline personality disorder (BPD) is a mental health condition characterized by emotion dysregulation, interpersonal impairment, and high suicidality. Dialectical behaviour therapy (DBT) is the most widely studied psychotherapeutic treatment for BPD. To date, the vast majority of DBT research has focused on cisgender women, with a notable lack of systematic investigation of sex and/or gender differences in treatment response. In order to encourage effective, equitable treatment of BPD, further investigation into treatment targets in this population is critical. Here, we employed a systematic strategy to delineate gaps in the DBT literature pertaining to sex and gender differences and propose directions for future research. Findings demonstrate a significant discrepancy in measurement of sex and gender, particularly among gender-diverse individuals. Exploring DBT treatment response across the full spectrum of genders will facilitate the provision of more tailored, impactful care to all individuals who suffer from BPD. Key learning aims (1) To date, DBT treatment literature has focused almost exclusively on cisgender women, with only two of 253 DBT studies in current literature accounting for transgender and gender diverse (TGD) individuals. (2) Recognize how gender minority stress may impact the prevalence of BPD among TGD individuals. (3) Learn how future research initiatives can be employed to rectify this gap in the DBT literature.
Further results on the critical Galton-Watson process with immigration

Consider a Galton-Watson process in which each individual reproduces independently of all others and has probability aj (j = 0, 1, …) of giving rise to j progeny in the following generation, and in which there is an independent immigration component where bj, (j = 0, 1, …) is the probability that j individuals enter the population at each generation. Defining Xn (n = 0, 1, …) to be the population size at the n- th generation, it is known that {Xn} defines a Markov chain on the non-negative integers.
Perception of aging among Korean undergraduate nursing students

Objective: To explore perceptions of aging among Korean undergraduate nursing students. Methods: The participants for the study were 102 undergraduate nursing students, selected from two universities in Korea. The questions were non-structured, open-ended in order for the students to make sufficiently complete statements regarding their experiences with aging. Results: The collected materials were classified into 4 themes, 13 sub-themes and 30 meaning units. Four themes emerged: fullness, emptiness, transference, and desirability. Most nursing students perceived aging positively as fullness and desirability, which are influenced by Confucianism. Conclusion: In conclusion, Confucianism as a cultural context should be considered to develop strategies for promoting a positive perception of aging in Korea.
Microbial bio¢lms and catabolic plasmid harbouring degradative £uorescent pseudomonads in Scots pine mycorrhizospheres developed on petroleum contaminated soil

Cellular interactions and catabolic activities of mycorrhizal root associated non-sporulating bacteria were investigated in a simplified phytoremediation simulation involving a woody plant species. Mycorrhizal Scots pine ( Pinus sylvestris ) seedlings pre-colonised by Suillus bovinus or Paxillus involutus were grown in forest humus containing microcosms amended with petroleum hydrocarbon (PHC) contaminated soil. Fungal hyphae of both species, emanating from mycorrhizal roots, colonised the PHC contaminated soil over a 16-week period and dense long-lived patches of S. bovinus hyphae formed on the PHC contaminated soil. Transmission electron microscopy revealed a microbial biofilm at the PHC soil-fungal interface composed of differentiated pseudoparenchymous patch hyphae supporting a morphologically diverse bacterial population. Certain non-sporulating bacterial isolates closely associated with the S. bovinus patch hyphae or P. involutus ‘web’ hyphae from the PHC soil harboured similar sized mega-plasmids (approx. 150 kb). Isolates of Pseudomonas fluorescens from the ‘patch’ mycorrhizospheres represented different biovars, displayed similar REP-PCR genomic fingerprints, grew on e.g. m -toluate and m -xylene as sole carbon sources, cleaved catechol, and harboured plasmid-borne catabolic marker genes, xylE and xylMA , involved in degradation of mono-aromatics. The plasmids were transmissible in vitro, and Pseudomonas putida transconjugants retained a similar catabolic profile. The identification of microbial biofilms containing catabolic bacteria in the external mycorrhizosphere is discussed in relation to both phytoremediation mechanisms and normal efficient nutrient mobilisation from highly lignin-rich forest soils. z 1998 Federation of European Microbiological Societies. Published by Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.
Effect of web-based depression literacy and cognitive ^ behavioural therapy interventions on stigmatising attitudes to depression Randomised controlled trial

Method A sample of 525 individuals with elevated scores on a depression assessment scalewere randomly allocated to a depression informationwebsite (BluePages), a cognitive^behavioural skills trainingwebsite (MoodGYM) or an attention control condition.Personal stigma (personal stigmatisingattitudes to depression) andperceived stigma (perception of whatmostother people believe) were assessed before and after the intervention.
Summative assessment of 5 th year medical students ’ clinical reasoning by script concordance test: requirements and challenges

Background: The Script Concordance Test (SCT) has not been reported in summative assessment of students across the multiple domains of a medical curriculum. We report the steps used to build a test for summative assessment in a medical curriculum. Methods: A 51 case, 158-question, multidisciplinary paper was constructed to assess clinical reasoning in 5 th -year. 10 – 16 experts in each of 7 discipline-based reference panels answered questions on-line. A multidisciplinary group considered reference panel data and data from a volunteer group of 6 th Years, who sat the same test, to determine the passing score for the 5 th Years. Results: The mean (SD) scores were 63.6 (7.6) and 68.6 (4.8) for the 6 th Year (n = 23, alpha = 0.78) and and 5 th Year (n = 132, alpha =0.62) groups (p < 0.05), respectively. The passing score was set at 4 SD from the expert mean. Four students failed. Conclusions: The SCT may be a useful method to assess clinical reasoning in medical students in multidisciplinary summative assessments. Substantial investment in training of faculty and students and in the development of questions is required.
PARAOXONASE 1 AS AN IMPORTANT ANTIATHEROGENIC AGENT

The inverse relationship between High Density Lipoproteins (HDL) level and risk of ischaemic heart disease was proved by many epidemiological studies. Although the main mechanism of antiatherogenic activity of HDL is a reverse transport of cholesterol from peripheral tissues to the liver, HDL additionally carries some antioxidative enzymes like Paraoxonase 1 (PON1) which protects LDL and HDL lipoproteins from oxidative modification. A lot of antiatherogenic activities of HDL depends on PON1 activity.
Stock Price Informativeness and Profit Warnings: Empirical Analysis

This study investigates the nature of association between profit warnings and stock price informativeness in the context of Jordan as an emerging country. The analysis is based on the response of stock price synchronicity to profit warnings percentages that have been published in Jordanian firms throughout the period spanning 2005–2016 in the Amman Stock Exchange. The standard of profit warnings indicators have related negatively to stock price synchronicity in Jordanian firms, meaning that firms with a high portion of profit warnings integrate with more firm-specific information into stock price. Robust regression was used rather than OLS as a parametric test to overcome the variances inflation factor (VIF) and heteroscedasticity issues recognized as having occurred during running the OLS regression; this enabled us to obtained stronger results that fall in line with our prediction that higher profit warning encourages firm investors to collect and process more firm-specific information than common market
Experimental investigation of vortex- and wake-induced vibrations of tandem cylinders

ABSTRACT This paper presents the experimental investigation of the wake-induced vibration (WIV) and vortex-induced vibration (VIV) acting on two circular cylinders. In particular, a riser installed in an offshore field may experience flow interferences between adjacent risers. Accordingly, the scaled models are arranged in a tandem configuration to observe the flow interference between the cylinders. The upstream cylinder is either fixed or allowed to have one-degree of freedom (1-DOF) motion, whereas the downstream cylinder is allowed to have two degrees of freedom (2-DOF) motion. The experimental test is conducted in a circulating water channel with cylinders that are connected by linear springs in two horizontal directions. A three-dimensional displacement metre and load cell are employed to measure the motion and hydrodynamic force of the cylinder, respectively. From the experiment, we identify that there are relative effects between the VIV and WIV with respect to selected parameters.
POLYMERIZED COLLAGEN INHIBITS FIBROBLAST PROLIFERATION VIA A MECHANISM INVOLVING THE FORMATION OF A β1 INTEGRIN/PP2A/TSC2 COMPLEX THAT SUPPRESSES S6K1 ACTIVITY

Hong Xia, Richard Nho, Jill Kleidon, Judy Kahm and Craig A. Henke Institution: Department of Medicine, University of Minnesota, 420 Delaware Street, SE, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55455 Running Head: Integrin/PP2A/TSC2 complex suppresses S6K1 and proliferation. Address correspondence to: Craig A. Henke, M.D., Box 276, University of Minnesota, 420 Delaware Street SE. , Minneapolis, Minnesota 55455; Telephone: 612-624-0999; Fax: 612-6252174; email: henke002@umn.edu
Foxp3+ Tregs as a potential target for immunotherapy against primary infection with Echinococcus multilocularis eggs

48 Alveolar echinococcosis (AE) is a lethal disease caused by infection with the metacestode stage 49 of the helminth Echinococcus multilocularis, which develops into a tumor-like mass in 50 susceptible intermediate hosts. The growth potential of this parasite stage is directly linked to the 51 nature of the surrounding periparasitic immune-mediated processes. In a first step (experiment 1), 52 mice were orally infected with E. multilocularis eggs, to be used for assessing the hepatic 53 expression profiles of 15 selected cytokine and chemokine genes related to acquired immunity 54 from 21 to 120 days post infection. The early stage of infection in immune competent animals 55 was marked by a mixed Th1/Th2 immune response, as characterized by the concomitant 56 presence of IFN-γ and IL-4 and their related chemokines. At late stage of AE, the profile 57 extended to a combined tolerogenic mode including Foxp3, IL-10 and TGF-β as key components. 58 In a second step (experiment 2), the effect of Treg-deficiency on metacestode growth was 59 assessed in E. multilocularis-infected DEREG mice upon induction of Treg-deficiency with 60 diphtheria toxin (DT). The parasite lesions were significantly smaller in size in the livers of 61 treated mice than in corresponding control groups. Foxp3 + Tregs appear as one of the key players 62 in immune regulatory processes favoring metacestode survival by affecting antigen presentation 63 and suppressing Th1-type immune responses. For these reasons we suggest that affecting Foxp3 + 64 Tregs could offer an attractive target in the development of an immunotherapy against AE. 65 66 on M arch 8, 2020 by gest http/iai.asm . rg/ D ow nladed fom
Data clustering based probabilistic optimal power flow in power systems

Ever increasing use of renewable energies beside other uncertain parameters in power systems makes it necessary to evaluate power system issues, probabilistically. One of the important studies in power systems operating is optimal power flow (OPF), which should be considered as probabilistic OPF (POPF). However, the Monte Carlo simulation (MCS) method can be efficiently used for handling any type of uncertainty but this method suffers from large calculation requirements and cannot be implemented in various studies. Especially, in evolutionary based optimization problems the use of MCS method is completely restricted. Data clustering is an alternative method which keeps the accuracy of the MCS method and requires very less calculation burden. In this study, data clustering is used for probabilistic assessment of power system in POPF problem. The proposed method is very fast, accurate and can easily handle any type of correlation between stochastic input variables. The correlated input variables are generated by the Cholesky decomposition method. The Genetic Algorithm (GA) is used as optimization tool. In order to demonstrate and validate the performance of the proposed method, IEEE 30- and 118-bus standard test systems are studied and the results are compared with a modified version of the two-point estimate method.