Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The Evolution of Electronic Marketplaces: an exploratory study of internet-based electronic within the American Independent Insurance Agency system

Evolving competitive, organisational and technology environments drive organisations to continually evaluate how information technology resources can be exploited for competitive value. The emergence of a global information infrastructure has spawned an entirely new area for competitive exploitation, electronic marketplaces. This paper first presents a review and synthesis of the conceptual and empirical literature on electronic marketplaces. Drawing upon multiple theoretical perspectives, we develop a framework for analysing their potential influences on market and industry structure. This conceptual framework is then applied to an empirical assessment of the potential of the Internet as an electronic marketplace for the American Independent Insurance Agency System.
Socially Inspired Motion Planning for Mobile Robots in Populated Environments

Nowadays, robots often operate in environments that they share with humans. The ability to act similar to humans is an important prerequisite for the social acceptance of robots. In this paper, we consider the problem of navigation in populated environments. We present a path planning algorithm that enables robots to move efficiently and smoothly with groups of people by selecting those individuals that move towards the robot’s desired goal. Our technique is based on a people tracking system in combination with an iterative A* planner. The approach iteratively finds both, a path and a partition of the set of surrounding people into obstacles and subjects to follow. In the absence of people, the optimal solution is still found by the A* planner. The approach has been implemented and tested on a real mobile robot in populated environments. Experiments illustrate that the robot is able to move with groups of people resulting in a more human-like way of navigation among people.
Increased Mean Platelet Volume in Familial Hypercholesterolemia

Familial hypercholesterolemia (FH) is a genetic disorder of lipoprotein metabolism and increases the risk of premature cardiovascular diseases. In patients with FH, platelet function may be activated; however, the extent of this activation and its etiology are unclear. We aimed to evaluate the mean platelet volume (MPV), a marker of platelet activation, in patients with FH. The study group consisted of 164 patients with FH and 160 control patients. Controls were matched for age, gender, hypertension, and smoking. The MPV was significantly higher in patients with FH than in controls (9.2 ± 0.4 vs 7.9 ± 0.6 fL, respectively; P < .001). Platelet count was significantly lower among patients with FH when compared to control patients (259 ± 51 vs 272 ± 56 × 103/L, respectively; P = .03). In linear regression analysis, MPV was independently associated only with total cholesterol (β = .6, 95% confidence interval: 0.004-0.008, P < .001). We have shown that MPV was increased in patients with FH and that it was independently associated with total cholesterol level.
Bridging the Gap between Domain-Oriented and Linguistically-Oriented Semantics

This paper compares domain-oriented and linguistically-oriented semantics, based on the GENIA event corpus and FrameNet. While the domain-oriented semantic structures are direct targets of Text Mining (TM), their extraction from text is not straghtforward due to the diversity of linguistic expressions. The extraction of linguistically-oriented semactics is more straghtforward, and has been studied independentely of specific domains. In order to find a use of the domain-independent research achievements for TM, we aim at linking classes of the two types of semantics. The classes were connected by analyzing linguistically-oriented semantics of the expressions that mention one biological class. With the obtained relationship between the classes, we discuss a link between TM and linguistically-oriented semantics.
FORK-JOIN QUEUE MODELING AND OPTIMAL SCHEDULING IN PARALLEL PROGRAMMING FRAMEWORKS

MapReduce framework is widely used to parallelize batch jobs since it exploits a high degree of multi-tasking to process them. However, it has been observed that when the number of servers increases, the map phase can take much longer than expected. This thesis analytically shows that the stochastic behavior of the servers has a negative effect on the completion time of a MapReduce job, and continuously increasing the number of servers without accurate scheduling can degrade the overall performance. We analytically model the map phase in terms of hardware, system, and application parameters to capture the effects of stragglers on the performance. Mean sojourn time (MST), the time needed to sync the completed tasks at a reducer, is introduced as a performance metric and mathematically formulated. Following that, we stochastically investigate the optimal task scheduling which leads to an equilibrium property in a datacenter with different types of servers. Our experimental results show the performance of the different types of schedulers targeting MapReduce applications. We also show that, in the case of mixed deterministic and stochastic schedulers, there is an optimal scheduler that can always achieve the lowest MST.
Niche overlap between sympatric coyotes and bobcats in highland zones of Olympic Mountains, Washington

The 20th century extensive range expansion of coyote Canis latrans throughout North America may impose negative effects on native carnivores. We investigated the interspecific niche relationships to assess potential for competition between sympatric coyote and a similar-sized felid ‐ bobcat Lynx rufus ‐ throughout the highland zones (elevation >1000 m) of Olympic National Park, Olympic Peninsula, Washington. Through systematic collection and analyses of scats for both carnivores (May‐September 2005‐2006), we determined food habits (composition, diversity, overlap of diets) and habitat use patterns. To ensure correct determination of carnivore species, we used mtDNA analysis of scats. Scat analysis indicated extensive dietary overlap between coyote and bobcat (Pianka’s overlap index = 0.97). For both carnivores medium-sized mammals comprised the predominant prey: mountain beaver Aplodontia rufa and snowshoe hare Lepus americanus; each occurring in about 50% of the scats. High dietary similarity indicated the potential for interspecific exploitative competition for mammalian prey, especially in harsh climatic conditions of high mountains. However, observed patterns of habitat selection inferred from scat distribution showed differences between coyotes and bobcats, implying some degree of habitat partitioning. Bobcats preferred relatively dense montane forests (canopy cover >40%) at lower elevations, and avoided the alpine zone, while coyotes inhabited mainly alpine and subalpine zones and mostly avoided forest. We conclude that observed habitat separation may alleviate foraging competition between coyote and bobcat. Whether this habitat separation will decrease potential negative effects of coyote colonization on bobcat abundance, or whether it indicates ongoing displacement of bobcats by coyotes, remains an open question.
Scavenger Hunt: An Empirical Method for Mobile Collaborative Problem-Solving

Pervasive computing enables field researchers to accomplish efficient field-work in teams that they once performed in isolation, over several trips, or not at all. Field researchers can deduce new information from findings they make while in the field, and apply it immediately to the situation at hand. This is especially important in fields where the time or resources to conduct several studies isn't available. This domain can be termed mobile collaborative problem-solving. Mobile collaborative problem-solving is a young domain of study, and not much is known about how people can collaborate effectively in the field using computers. We suggest a scavenger hunt model that provides a viable prototyping method. A scavenger hunt is a typical mobile activity that both adults and children can perform. The ultimate goal was to use a scavenger hunt to unearth the software's design flaws
Extending non-negative matrix factorisation to 3D registered data

The use of non-negative matrix factorisation (NMF) on 2D face images has been shown to result in sparse feature vectors that encode for local patches on the face, and thus provides a statistically justified approach to learning parts from wholes. However successful on 2D images, the method has so far not been extended to 3D images. The main reason for this is that 3D space is a continuum and so it is not apparent how to represent 3D coordinates in a non-negative fashion. This work compares different non-negative representations for spatial coordinates, and demonstrates that not all non-negative representations are suitable. We analyse the representational properties that make NMF a successful method to learn sparse 3D facial features. Using our proposed representation, the factorisation results in sparse and interpretable facial features.
Introduction to time-of-flight imaging

Time-of-flight imaging is a subset of imaging science interested in the detection of the time-of-flight of certain waves, usually light, to reconstruct the position of objects in a 3D scene. Optical time-of-flight imagers have existed for decades, but it is only with the introduction of solid-state sensors with fast (global) shutters, that they have become compact and prone to mass-production. In these sensors, light propagation can be frozen in time and space and its time-of-flight can be evaluated on the pixel-by-pixel basis to accurately reconstruct 3D scenes and volumes. Applications include gaming, gesture recognition, and virtual keyboards for short-range cameras, security, 3D video monitoring, and robotic operation for medium-range cameras, safety and pedestrian avoidance for long-range cameras, and LIDAR telemetry and landscape monitoring for ultra-long-range cameras. Also based on similar concepts are non-vision applications, such as time-of-flight positron emission tomography, fluorescence lifetime imaging microscopy, and time-resolved optical coherent tomography, to name a few.
Technical report: CSVM dictionaries

CSVM (CSV with Metadata) is a simple file format for tabular data. The possible application domain is the same as typical spreadsheets files, but CSVM is well suited for long term storage and the inter-conversion of RAW data. CSVM embeds different levels for data, metadata and annotations in human readable format and flat ASCII files. As a proof of concept, Perl and Python toolkits were designed in order to handle CSVM data and objects in workflows. These parsers can process CSVM files independently of data types, so it is possible to use same data format and parser for a lot of scientific purposes. CSVM-1 is the first version of CSVM specification, an extension of CSVM-1 for implementing a translation system between CSVM files is presented in this paper. The necessary data used to make the translation are also coded in another CSVM file. This particular kind of CSVM is called a CSVM dictionary, it is also readable by the current CSVM parser and it is fully supported by the Python toolkit. This report presents a proposal for CSVM dictionaries, a working example in chemistry, and some elements of Python toolkit usable to handle these files.
Measurement of Platelet Microparticles during Cardiopulmonary Bypass by Means of Captured ELISA for GPIIb/IIIa

Summary A captured enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) using the disintegrin, kistrin, is described and used to measure platelet microparticles (PMP) generated during open heart surgery. This ELISA detects 75 ng/ml of glycoprotein IIb/IIIa (GPIIa/IIIa) in solution and is more sensitive and less variable than flow cytometry and radioimmunoassay. By ELISA, mean values of GPIIb/IIIa in PMP are 14.2 ± 7.9 μg/ml for outdated platelets and 0.28 ± 0.1 μg/ml in fresh blood from healthy donors. Normal washed platelets (108) contain 8.8 μg of GPIIb/IIIa. In 12 cardiac surgical patients, PMP measured by ELISA significantly increased (p = 0.039) to 0.58 ± 0.3 μg/ml at the end of cardio-pulmonary bypass, but the increase measured by flow cytometry (1207 to 1447 events in PMP gate) was not significant. Neither heparin nor protamine alter PMP. After cardiopulmonary bypass, PMP concentrations return to baseline values before protamine is given. Concentrations of PMP in pericardial blood are greater than in simultaneous perfusate. This ELISA is more sensitive and accurate than alternate methods for measuring PMP and shows the PMP production and rapid clearance during open cardiac surgery. Present address: Dr. Shinji Miyamoto, Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, Oita Medical University, 1-1 Idaigaoka, Oita, Japan
Evaluation of recombinant activated protein C for severe sepsis at a tertiary academic medical center

Purpose Early clinical trials of recombinant human activated protein C (rhAPC) for severe sepsis excluded patients at high risk of bleeding. Recent literature suggests bleeding rates are higher in clinical practice and may be associated with worsened outcomes. Our objective was to evaluate baseline demographics; incidence, and risk factors for major bleeding; and mortality of patients receiving rhAPC for severe sepsis at our institution. Methods A retrospective study was performed for all patients receiving rhAPC for treatment of severe sepsis at a tertiary academic medical center from January 2002 to June 2009. Demographic information, clinical variables, intensive care unit, and hospital outcomes were recorded. Results Of the 156 patients that received rhAPC, 54 (34.6%) did not meet institutional criteria for safe use at baseline due to bleeding precaution or contraindication. Twenty-three (14.7%) patients experienced a major bleeding event. Multivariate analysis demonstrated baseline International Normalized Ratio ≥2.5 (odds ratio [OR] 3.68, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.28–10.56; P = 0.03) and platelet count ≤100 × 103/mm3 (OR 2.86, 95% CI: 1.07–7.67; P = 0.01) as significant predictors of a major bleed. Overall hospital mortality was 57.7%. Multivariate analysis demonstrated the presence of ≥3 organ dysfunctions (OR 2.46, 95% CI: 1.19–5.09; P < 0.05) and medical intensive care unit admission (OR 1.99, 95% CI: 1.00–3.98; P = 0.05) were independent variables associated with hospital mortality. Conclusion Patients receiving rhAPC at our institution had higher APACHE II scores, mortality, and major bleeding events than published postmarketing studies. Risk factors for major bleeding other than package-labeling contraindications and bleeding precautions were identified in our patient population.
Towards Ontology-Based Multiagent Simulations: The Plasma Approach

In multiagent-based simulation systems the agent programming paradigm is adopted for simulation. This simulation approach offers the promise to facilitate the design and development of complex simulations, both regarding the distinct simulation actors and the simulation environment itself. We introduce the simulation middleware PlaSMA which extends the JADE agent framework with a simulation control that ensures synchronization and provides a world model based on a formal ontological description of the respective application domain. We illustrate the benefits of an ontology grounding for simulation design and discuss further gains to be expected from recent advances in ontology engineering, namely the adaption of foundational ontologies and modelling-patterns.
Influence of Actinobacillus pleuropneumoniae and its metabolites on porcine alveolar epithelial cells

The effect of Actinobacillus pleuropneumoniae and its metabolites on the viability of porcine alveolar epithelial cells was studied by using a neutral-red uptake test. Alveolar epithelial cells were obtained from 5-week-old colostrum-deprived pigs. The purity of these cells as assessed by the modified Papanicolaou stain was 90 to 95%. Incubation of these cells with 10(6) CFU of a biotype 1 serotype 1 strain resulted in death of the alveolar epithelial cells within 1.5 h. A cytotoxic effect was also seen when alveolar epithelial cells were incubated with sterile culture supernatants of biotype 1 serotype 1, biotype 1 serotype 10, and biotype 2 serotype 2 strains or with ApxI, ApxII, or ApxIII produced by recombinant Escherichia coli. Incubation of alveolar epithelial cells with a knockout mutant of the biotype 1 serotype 1 parent strain which is unable to secrete Apx toxins or with its supernatant did not result in death of these cells. These results indicate that cytotoxicity is at least in part due to production of Apx toxins.
Field architecture for traffic and mobility modelling in mobility management

Aggregate mobility modelling, studying macroscopic rule of human movement, benefits the performance of mobility management. This paper is primarily focused on establishing an architecture based on field theory, using scalar and vector field to describe traffic and mobility, respectively. On the basis of their temporal-spatial evolution, we try to discover the relationship between traffic field and mobility field. This field architecture fits for mobility management in large temporal-spatial scale, since it not only benefits qualitative analysis of traffic and mobility in the perspective of field, but also provides a theoretical foundation and insight for issues in mobile communication.
Preparation of Nanocellulose via Transition Metal Salt-Catalyzed Hydrolysis Pathway

Nanocellulose was successfully prepared from microcrystalline cellulose (MCC) via nickel salt-catalyzed hydrolysis under mild reaction conditions of 45 °C for 15 min. The mild acid nickel salt-catalyzed hydrolysis was able to selectively depolymerize the amorphous regions of cellulose and retain its crystalline region, thus improving the crystallinity of the treated product at the nanoscale up to 80%. FTIR analysis confirmed that the basic cellulose structure of inorganic metal salt-treated products was maintained and that no derivative was formed. Furthermore, the synthesized Ni-treated nanocellulose (NTC) products appeared in the form of cluster fragments with spider-web-like appearance (fiber diameter of 10 to 60 nm and fiber length of 300 to 600 nm), thus providing aspect ratios in the range of 7.96 to 9.11. In addition, NTC products exhibited relatively higher thermal stability as compared to MCC because of the presence of high crystallinity phases and the absence of impurities (such as nitrate ions) on the nanocellulose surface. Thus, the present study concluded that nickel-based inorganic salt is an efficient and selective catalyst for the hydrolysis of MCC with high simplicity in operation and short preparation time.
Mucosal adaptation to enteral nutrients is dependent on the physiologic actions of glucagon-like peptide-2 in mice.

BACKGROUND & AIMS Our understanding of the intestinotropic actions of glucagon-like peptide-2 (GLP-2)(1-33) is based on pharmacologic studies involving exogenous administration. However, the physiologic role of GLP-2 in mucosal growth and adaptation to nutritional stimulation remains poorly understood. METHODS The properties of GLP-2(3-33), a GLP-2(1-33) metabolite, were determined in baby-hamster kidney cells transfected with the mouse GLP-2 receptor complementary DNA and in isolated murine intestinal muscle strips. To investigate the role of endogenous GLP-2(1-33) in gut adaptation, GLP-2(3-33) was administered to mice that were re-fed for 24 hours after 24 hours of fasting, and the small intestine was analyzed. GLP-2(3-33) also was injected into rats for analysis of circulating GLP-2(1-33) levels. RESULTS GLP-2(3-33) antagonized the actions of GLP-2(1-33) in vitro and ex vivo. Fasting mice exhibited small intestinal atrophy (37% +/- 1% decrease in small intestinal weight, 19% +/- 2% decrease in crypt-villus height, and 99% +/- 35% increase in villus apoptosis, P < .05-.01). Adaptive growth in re-fed mice restored all these parameters, as well as crypt-cell proliferation, to normal control levels (P < .05 vs. fasting); these adaptive changes were prevented partially or completely by co-administration of GLP-2(3-33) to refeeding mice (by 32% +/- 19% to 103% +/- 15%, P < .05-.01 vs re-fed mice). Exogenous GLP-2(3-33) did not affect endogenous GLP-2(1-33) levels. CONCLUSIONS These data show that endogenous GLP-2 regulates the intestinotropic response in re-fed mice through modulation of crypt-cell proliferation and villus apoptosis. GLP-2 is therefore a physiologic regulator of the dynamic adaptation of the gut mucosal epithelium in response to luminal nutrients.
Protein Synthesis in Cell-free Extracts from First and Third Trimester Human Placenta

Extract: Ribosomal and cell sap fractions were prepared from first and third trimester human placentas. High endogenous activity was observed with ribosomes prepared from first trimester or third trimester placenta when incubated either in the presence of cell sap derived from first trimester placenta tissue or from Krebs II ascites tumor cells. The homologous placental system is capable of translating poly(U) and globin mRNA, although the latter is translated at about 10% of the efficiency as observed in the homologous ascites tumor system. The placental cell sap may be deficient in a factor necessary for the translation of globin mRNA. The preparation of active ribosomes from first and third trimester polysomes shows that it will be possible to study the endogenous synthesis of placental proteins throughout pregnancy.Speculation: These results indicate the feasibility of studying the cell-free synthesis of placental peptide hormones. Human chorionic gonadotropin and human placental lactogen reach peak levels of synthesis at different gestational periods and thus the relation between the synthesis of the hormones and their secretion can be elucidated.
Cost Modeling of a Network Service Provider Cloud Platform

The cloud service model is spreading into the telecommunications industry, forcing the telecommunications providers to adjust their production models. The network service provider cloud platform, also called as Telco Cloud, utilizing a cloud based production model, is a solution to respond to the changing market forces. The cloud based production model is a new concept in the context of telecommunication services and the cost structure of the network service provider cloud platform is poorly understood. Thus, this empirical research uses a single company single case study approach to examine the network service provider cloud cost structures and constructs a cost model to network service provider cloud by using semi-structured interviews. The results indicate that the network service provider cloud improves cost efficiency compared to the traditional platform model due to server virtualization and consolidation. The contributed cost model can be used for analyzing feasibility of an application on-boarding in network service providers that are utilizing cloud platforms for the communications services.
Brave New World of Market Design

Market Design is an emerging field that seeks to provide a practical solution for various resource allocation problems. The current article discusses several issues arising in real-world market design, innovative ideas proposed to overcome those issues, and their applications in areas such as spectrum licenses allocation, Internet sponsored-search advertising, housing allocation, public school placement, kidney exchange, course allocation, and online matchmaking.