Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
On revenue maximization for selling multiple independently distributed items

Consider the revenue-maximizing problem in which a single seller wants to sell k different items to a single buyer, who has independently distributed values for the items with additive valuation. The case was completely resolved by Myerson’s classical work in 1981, whereas for larger k the problem has been the subject of much research efforts ever since. Recently, Hart and Nisan analyzed two simple mechanisms: selling the items separately, or selling them as a single bundle. They showed that selling separately guarantees at least a fraction of the optimal revenue; and for identically distributed items, bundling yields at least a fraction of the optimal revenue. In this paper, we prove that selling separately guarantees at least fraction of the optimal revenue, whereas for identically distributed items, bundling yields at least a constant fraction of the optimal revenue. These bounds are tight (up to a constant factor), settling the open questions raised by Hart and Nisan. The results are valid for arbitrary probability distributions without restrictions. Our results also have implications on other interesting issues, such as monotonicity and randomization of selling mechanisms.
Patterns of developmental trajectories in toddlers with autism spectrum disorder.

OBJECTIVE Our objective was to follow toddlers referred for risk of autism, using standardized observational measures administered frequently from age 18 months to age 36 months. METHOD Sixty-five children who were consecutive referrals and 13 children from other research projects were seen approximately every 2 months, from age 18 months to age 36 months, for standardized assessments and clinical judgments by the same examiner and every 6 months by an examiner blind to previous scores. RESULTS Thirty children never received an autism spectrum disorder (ASD) diagnosis; 48 children (all referrals) received at least 1 diagnosis of ASD. The best trajectory typology, using Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule (ADOS) scores, revealed 4 trajectory classes with high probabilities for fit to the most likely class: severe persistent (21%), worsening (21%), improving (19%), and nonspectrum (40%). Classes differed by trajectories in verbal and nonverbal mental ages; never-ever ASD groups differed on Autism Diagnostic Interview-Revised (ADI-R) domain scores and clinician judgments, but improving-worsening trajectory groups did not. CONCLUSIONS The results replicated the findings from studies of infants whose siblings have autism and infants whose siblings do not have autism, suggesting variability in early trajectories and supporting the need for early identification, regular monitoring, and standardized assessments of young children suspected of having ASD.
Devolve-Redeem: Hierarchical SDN Controllers with Adaptive Offloading

Towards improving SDN control plane scalability, past work has proposed SDN controller frameworks that offload computation which depends on local state to controllers residing on the switches. Our work identifies another type of computation that can be offloaded to local controllers: that which depends on state that is generated globally but can be used within local controllers with loose synchronization. Because using such state locally incurs a synchronization cost, such offload makes sense only when the benefits of the offload out-weigh the synchronization cost. We present the design and implementation of Devolve-Redeem, an SDN controller framework that can offload computation to local controllers depending on the mix of various control messages in the incoming traffic. The offload decision in our framework is made by computing a cost metric that captures the relative costs of processing every control message at the central and local controllers, taking into account synchronization costs. The SDN application developer using our framework writes a single application that runs at both the central and local controllers, using our state management API to access offloadable state. Our framework migrates between various offload modes using the computed cost metric, by manipulating the rules in the SDN switches that forward control messages to the controllers. Our framework also transparently handles state synchronization between central and local controllers in a manner that is consistent with the offload mode. We have implemented the SDN-based LTE EPC application in our framework, and experiments with our prototype demonstrate the effectiveness of our adaptive offload framework.
T1 and T2 in the brain of healthy subjects, patients with Parkinson disease, and patients with multiple system atrophy: relation to iron content.

PURPOSE To investigate the potential of magnetic resonance imaging for identification and quantification of brain iron in healthy subjects, patients with Parkinson disease, and patients with multiple system atrophy. MATERIALS AND METHODS Forty-nine subjects were studied at 1.5 T. Regional T1 and T2 values were compared among groups and also with histopathologic estimates of iron concentration. RESULTS In healthy subjects, interregional T1 and T2 differences in the cortex and basal ganglia showed a good correlation with reported values for iron concentration, and intraregional variations were generally consistent with reported variability of iron concentration. Patients with multiple system atrophy had T1 and T2 shortening in the globus pallidus consistent with reported increases in ferritin-bound iron and changes in the putamen consistent with accumulation of hemosiderin (posterior portion) and neuromelanin (remainder). Both groups of patients had changes in the cortex that are consistent with decreased ferritin concentration and T2 changes in white matter consistent with demyelination. Patients with Parkinson disease also had a (nonsignificant) T2 shortening in the substantia nigra that was suggestive of iron accumulation. CONCLUSION Most of the T1 and T2 findings appear to be related to changes in iron content and form and may possibly be used as indicators of such changes.
Bivalirudin and provisional glycoprotein IIb/IIIa blockade compared with heparin and planned glycoprotein IIb/IIIa blockade during percutaneous coronary intervention: REPLACE-2 randomized trial.

CONTEXT The direct thrombin inhibitor bivalirudin has been associated with better efficacy and less bleeding than heparin during coronary balloon angioplasty but has not been widely tested during contemporary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). OBJECTIVE To determine the efficacy of bivalirudin, with glycoprotein IIb/IIIa (Gp IIb/IIIa) inhibition on a provisional basis for complications during PCI, compared with heparin plus planned Gp IIb/IIIa blockade with regard to protection from periprocedural ischemic and hemorrhagic complications. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS The Randomized Evaluation in PCI Linking Angiomax to Reduced Clinical Events (REPLACE)-2 trial, a randomized, double-blind, active-controlled trial conducted among 6010 patients undergoing urgent or elective PCI at 233 community or referral hospitals in 9 countries from October 2001 through August 2002. INTERVENTIONS Patients were randomly assigned to receive intravenous bivalirudin (0.75-mg/kg bolus plus 1.75 mg/kg per hour for the duration of PCI), with provisional Gp IIb/IIIa inhibition (n = 2999), or heparin (65-U/kg bolus) with planned Gp IIb/IIIa inhibition (abciximab or eptifibatide) (n = 3011). Both groups received daily aspirin and a thienopyridine for at least 30 days after PCI. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES The primary composite end point was 30-day incidence of death, myocardial infarction, urgent repeat revascularization, or in-hospital major bleeding; the secondary composite end point was 30-day incidence of death, myocardial infarction, or urgent repeat revascularization. RESULTS Provisional Gp IIb/IIIa blockade was administered to 7.2% of patients in the bivalirudin group. By 30 days, the primary composite end point had occurred among 9.2% of patients in the bivalirudin group vs 10.0% of patients in the heparin-plus-Gp IIb/IIIa group (odds ratio, 0.92; 95% confidence interval, 0.77-1.09; P =.32). The secondary composite end point occurred in 7.6% of patients in the bivalirudin vs 7.1% of patients in the heparin-plus-Gp IIb/IIIa groups (odds ratio, 1.09; 95% confidence interval 0.90-1.32; P =.40). Prespecified statistical criteria for noninferiority to heparin plus Gp IIb/IIIa were satisfied for both end points. In-hospital major bleeding rates were significantly reduced by bivalirudin (2.4% vs 4.1%; P<.001). CONCLUSIONS Bivalirudin with provisional Gp IIb/IIIa blockade is statistically not inferior to heparin plus planned Gp IIb/IIIa blockade during contemporary PCI with regard to suppression of acute ischemic end points and is associated with less bleeding.
Expression of a novel human sialidase encoded by the NEU2 gene.

Sialidases (E.C.3.2.1.18) belong to a group of glycohydrolytic enzymes, widely distributed in nature, which remove sialic acid residues from glycoproteins and glycolipids. All of the sialidase so far characterized at the molecular level share an Asp block, repeated three to five times in the primary structure, and an F/YRIP sequence motif which is part of the active site. Using a sequence homology-based approach, we previously identified a human gene, named NEU2, mapping to chromosome 2q37. NEU2 encoded protein is a polypeptide of 380 amino acids with two Asp block consensuses and the YRIP sequence in the amino terminal part of the primary structure. Here we demonstrate that NEU2 encodes a functional sialidase. NEU2 was expressed in COS7 cells, giving rise to a dramatic increase in the sialidase activity measured in cell extracts with the artificial substrate 4-MU-NANA. Using a rabbit polyclonal antiserum, on Western blots a protein band with a molecular weight of about 42 kDa was detectable, and its cytosolic localization was demonstrated with cell fractionation experiments. These results were confirmed using immunohistochemical techniques. NEU2 expression in E.coli cells allowed purification of the recombinant protein. As already observed in the enzyme expressed in COS7 cells, NEU2 pH optimum corresponds to 5.6 and the polypeptide showed a K(m)for 4-MU-NANA of 0.07 mM. In addition, based on the detectable similarities between the NEU2 amino acid sequence and bacterial sialidases, a prediction of the three-dimensional structure of the enzyme was carried out using a protein homology modeling approach.
Active Learning for Visual Question Answering: An Empirical Study

We present an empirical study of active learning for Visual Question Answering, where a deep VQA model selects informative question-image pairs from a pool and queries an oracle for answers to maximally improve its performance under a limited query budget. Drawing analogies from human learning, we explore cramming (entropy), curiosity-driven (expected model change), and goal-driven (expected error reduction) active learning approaches, and propose a fast and effective goal-driven active learning scoring function to pick question-image pairs for deep VQA models under the Bayesian Neural Network framework. We find that deep VQA models need large amounts of training data before they can start asking informative questions. But once they do, all three approaches outperform the random selection baseline and achieve significant query savings. For the scenario where the model is allowed to ask generic questions about images but is evaluated only on specific questions (e.g., questions whose answer is either yes or no), our proposed goal-driven scoring function performs the best.
Activating mutations in RRAS underlie a phenotype within the RASopathy spectrum and contribute to leukaemogenesis

RASopathies, a family of disorders characterized by cardiac defects, defective growth, facial dysmorphism, variable cognitive deficits and predisposition to certain malignancies, are caused by constitutional dysregulation of RAS signalling predominantly through the RAF/MEK/ERK (MAPK) cascade. We report on two germline mutations (p.Gly39dup and p.Val55Met) in RRAS, a gene encoding a small monomeric GTPase controlling cell adhesion, spreading and migration, underlying a rare (2 subjects among 504 individuals analysed) and variable phenotype with features partially overlapping Noonan syndrome, the most common RASopathy. We also identified somatic RRAS mutations (p.Gly39dup and p.Gln87Leu) in 2 of 110 cases of non-syndromic juvenile myelomonocytic leukaemia, a childhood myeloproliferative/myelodysplastic disease caused by upregulated RAS signalling, defining an atypical form of this haematological disorder rapidly progressing to acute myeloid leukaemia. Two of the three identified mutations affected known oncogenic hotspots of RAS genes and conferred variably enhanced RRAS function and stimulus-dependent MAPK activation. Expression of an RRAS mutant homolog in Caenorhabditis elegans enhanced RAS signalling and engendered protruding vulva, a phenotype previously linked to the RASopathy-causing SHOC2S2G mutant. Overall, these findings provide evidence of a functional link between RRAS and MAPK signalling and reveal an unpredicted role of enhanced RRAS function in human disease.
Pedestrian Tracking Using Particle Filter Algorithm

Pedestrian tracking is a difficult task due to the complexity of environment and the irregular motion of human body. Particle Filters are advantageous on solving nonlinear problems with non-gaussian system noise. By extracting the target color-histogram features and calculating the similarity between particle candidates and target template region through discrete Bhattacharyya Coefficient, this paper presents a particle filter algorithm for pedestrian tracking. Experimental results show that the proposed algorithm outperforms Kalman tracking in almost all situations, especially when the target is occluded by other objects.
Loss of STAT1 in Bone Marrow-Derived Cells Accelerates Skeletal Muscle Regeneration

Background Skeletal muscle regeneration is a complex process which is not yet completely understood. Evidence suggested that the Janus kinase (JAK)–signal transducer and activator of transcription (STAT) pathway may have a role in myogenesis. In this study, we aim to explore the possible role of STAT1 in muscle regeneration. Methods Wild-type and STAT1 knockout mice were used in this study. Tibialis anterior muscle injury was conducted by cardiotoxin (CTX) injection. Bone marrow transplantation and glucocorticoid treatment were performed to manipulate the immune system of the mice. Results Muscle regeneration was accelerated in STAT1−/− mice after CTX injury. Bone marrow transplantation experiments showed that the regeneration process relied on the type of donor mice rather than on recipient mice. Levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines, TNFα and IL-1β, were significantly higher in STAT1−/− mice at 1 day and/or 2 days post-injury, while levels of anti-inflammatory cytokine, IL-10, were lower in STAT1−/− mice at 2 days and 3 days post-injury. Levels of IGF-1 were significantly higher in the STAT1−/− mice at 1 day and 2 days post-injury. Furthermore, the muscle regeneration process was inhibited in glucocorticoid-treated mice. Conclusions Loss of STAT1 in bone marrow–derived cells accelerates skeletal muscle regeneration.
Colour-blind discourses in paid domestic work: foreignness and the delineation of alternative racial markers

Abstract This paper explores how current shifts in racial discourse and demographics are reflected within the negotiation of paid domestic work. Various scholars have pointed out that racism in the United States has become increasingly covert and institutionalized, void of racial terminology and invisible to most whites. This shift has been institutionalized in the negotiation of domestic work, as alternative racial markers such as language and citizenship replace explicit racial terminology. Through an analysis of thirty interviews with white women who employ domestic workers this research examines contemporary negotiations of racial privilege and subordination in domestic work. Overall, white employers insisted that race did not matter when making hiring decisions; however other cultural markers such as language mattered greatly, at times even resulting in firing. In addition, complex and contradictory narratives about immigration were used to simultaneously both vilify immigrant workers and romanticize their work experiences.
On the Effectiveness of XOR-Mapping Schemes for Cache Memories

XOR-mapping schemes were initially proposed in the context of interleaved memories to provide a pseudorandom distribution of memory addresses among multiple memory modules. In that context, the objective was to allow multiple memory references to proceed in parallel by ensuring that they access different memory modules. XOR-mapping schemes can also provide significant benefits for cache memories. In this case, the objective is to avoid conflicts between different data structures that are accessed concurrently during the execution of a program. In spite of this potential benefit, there are very few proposals in the literature that make use of such schemes. This paper evaluates the performance of XOR-mapping schemes for a number of different cache organizations: direct-mapped, set-associative, victim, hash-rehash, columnassociative and skewed-associative. It also proposes novel replacement policies for some of these cache organizations. In particular, it presents a low-cost implementation of a pure LRU replacement policy which demonstrates a significant improvement over the pseudo-LRU replacement previously proposed. The paper shows that for a 8 Kbyte data cache, XOR-mapping schemes approximately halve the miss ratio for two-way associative and column-associative organizations. Skewed-associative caches, which already make use of XOR-mapping functions, can benefit from the LRU replacement and also from the use of more sophisticated mapping functions. For two-way associative, column-associative and two-way skewed-associative organizations, XOR-mapping schemes achieve a miss ratio that is not higher than 1.10 times that of a fullyassociative cache. XOR mapping schemes also provide a very significant reduction in the miss ratio for the other cache organizations, including the direct-mapped cache. Ultimately, the conclusion of this study is that XOR-based mapping schemes unequivocally provide highly significant performance benefits to most cache organizations.
Effect of cyclosporin A on the expression of tissue kallikrein , kininogen , and bradykinin receptor in rat

Wang, Cindy, Philbert Ford, Caroline Chao, Lee Chao, and Julie Chao. Effect of cyclosporin A on the expression of tissue kallikrein, kininogen, and bradykinin receptor in rat. Am. J. Physiol. 273 (Renal Physiol. 42): F783–F789, 1997. — The tissue kallikrein-kinin system is involved in vasodilation and blood pressure regulation. In the present study, we investigated the effects of chronic cyclosporin A (CsA) administration on blood pressure and the expression of tissue kallikrein, kininogen, and bradykinin receptor in normotensive Wistar rats. Chronic administration of CsA significantly increased systolic blood pressure compared with control rats (n 5 6, P , 0.01), although body weight was significantly lower than control rats (n 5 6, P , 0.01). The development of hypertension was accompanied by the altered expression of kallikrein-kinin system components. Immunoreactive renal kallikrein and urinary excretion of tissue kallikrein levels were increased by chronic administration of CsA (n 5 5 or 6, P , 0.05). Levels of N-tosyl-L-phenylalanine chloromethyl ketone-trypsin and kallikrein-releasable kininogens in sera increased in response to chronic CsA treatment (n 5 5 or 6, P , 0.05). Chronic CsA treatment significantly increased renal kallikrein, bradykinin B2 receptor, and hepatic kininogen mRNA levels. The increased levels of tissue kallikreinkinin system components were accompanied by significant increases in 24-h urine excretion and water intake after chronic CsA treatment (n 5 5, P , 0.05). These results suggest that enhanced activity of the tissue kallikrein-kinin system may compensate for the CsA-induced vasoconstriction and hypertension.
An array of monolithic FBAR-CMOS oscillators for mass-sensing applictions

We present a monolithic, solidly-mounted CMOS-FBAR oscillator array for mass sensing applications. Thin-film bulk acoustic resonators (FBAR) are an affective platform for sensitive biological and chemical detection, where their high operating frequencies make them many times more sensitive than a quartz crystal microbalance. By monolithic integration with CMOS drive circuitry, we aim to overcome the spatial limiations of externally-coupled resonators to build dense sensor arrays without specialized fabrication techniques. The sensors in this work are constructed in a 6 × 4 array atop a 0. 18µm CMOS active substrate, and mass sensitivity comparable to off-chip FBAR sensors is demonstrated.
Adaptive advantages of myrmecochory: the predator‐avoidance hypothesis tested over a wide geographic range

The predator-avoidance hypothesis states that once released from the parent plant, myrmecochorous seeds are rapidly taken by ants to their nests, where they are protected from predators. Previous studies conducted to test this hypothesis have frequently neglected two major aspects necessary for its verification: 1) the influence of processes acting after the seed release and 2) the spatial evenness of such processes. Thus, large-scale variations in the mechanisms acting beyond seed release, and possibly influencing seed escape from predators, remain poorly documented. Here, we present the results of a post-dispersal seed-removal experiment on the myrmecochorous herb Helleborus foetidus, aimed at verifing the predator-avoidance hypothesis by considering two key post-release aspects of seed fate: seed destination (dispersed or nondispersed) and seed burial (buried or not buried). Experiments were performed in four different regions in the Iberian Peninsula. After three days of exposure of seeds to the main predator (fieldmice Apodemus sylvaticus), ca 30% of the seeds were removed. Seed destination affected the proportion of seeds escaping predation, but the sign, magnitude and statistical significance of the effect varied among the geographical regions. In the southern region (Cazorla), seeds dispersed in ant nests or intermediate destinations suffered scarcely any predation, but seeds under reproductive-age plants experienced losses ca 50%. Conversely, in the northern region (Caurel), seeds in nests suffered significantly greater losses than seeds under plants or intermediate destinations, suggesting that nests were especially unsafe destinations. Seed burial had a strong impact on seed escape from predators, and its effect was highly consistent among geographical regions. In view of the consistency of its effect at different spatial scales, seed burial was a more general mechanism for predation avoidance than seed relocation to ant nests, which was habitat- and/or ant-species-dependent. Our results thus only partially support the predator-avoidance hypothesis for the evolution of myrmecochory.