Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Optimal Release of Inventory Using Online Auctions: The Two Item Case

In this paper we analyze policies for optimally disposing inventory using online auctions. We assume a seller has a fixed number of items to sell using a sequence of, possibly overlapping, single-item auctions. The decision the seller must make is when to start each auction. The decision involves a trade-off between a holding cost for each period an item remains unsold, and a higher expected final price the fewer the number of simultaneous auctions underway. Consequently the seller must trade-off the expected marginal gain for the ongoing auctions with the expected marginal cost of the unreleased items by further deferring their release. We formulate the problem as a discrete time Markov Decision Problem and consider two cases. In the first case we assume the auctions are guaranteed to be successful, while in the second case we assume there is a positive probability that an auction receives no bids. The reason for considering these two cases are that they require different analysis. We derive conditions to ensure that the optimal release policy is a control limit policy in the current price of the ongoing auctions, and provide several illustration of results. The paper focuses on the two item case which has sufficient complexity to raise challenging questions.
The effect of smoking cessation and subsequent resumption on absorption of inhaled insulin.

OBJECTIVE To assess the absorption profile of inhaled insulin in healthy, actively smoking subjects at baseline, after smoking cessation, and after smoking resumption and compare it with nonsmoking subjects. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS Insulin pharmacokinetics and glucodynamics were measured in 20 male smoking subjects (10-20 cigarettes/day) and 10 matched nonsmoking subjects after receiving inhaled insulin (1 mg) or the approximate subcutaneous insulin equivalent (3 units) in a randomized cross-over fashion. All smokers then received inhaled insulin 12 h, 3 days, and 7 days into a smoking cessation period. They then resumed smoking for 2-3 days before again receiving inhaled insulin 1 h after the last cigarette. RESULTS Before smoking cessation, maximum insulin concentration (Cmax) and area under the curve (AUC) for insulin concentration time (AUC-Insulin(0-360)) with inhaled insulin were higher, and time to Cmax (t(max)) shorter, in smokers than nonsmokers (Cmax 26.8 vs. 9.7 microU/ml; AUC-Insulin(0-360) 2,583 vs. 1,645 microU x ml(-1) x min(-1); t(max) 20 vs. 53 min, respectively; all P < 0.05), whereas with subcutaneous insulin, systemic exposure was unchanged (AUC-Insulin(0-360) 2,324 vs. 2,269 microU x ml(-1) x min(-1); P = NS). After smoking cessation, AUC-Insulin(0-360) decreased with inhaled insulin by up to 50% within 1 week and approached nonsmoker levels. Cmax decreased and t(max) increased relative to baseline but were still not comparable with nonsmoker values. Smoking resumption completely reversed the effect of smoking cessation. Glucodynamics corroborated the observed findings in insulin pharmacokinetics. CONCLUSIONS Cessation and resumption of smoking greatly altered the pharmacokinetics of inhaled insulin. As rapid changes in systemic insulin exposure increase hypoglycemia risk, inhaled insulin should not be used in people with diabetes who choose to continue smoking. This is consistent with recommendations that people with diabetes refrain from smoking altogether.
Feature Induction for Online Constraint-based Phonology Acquisition

Log-linear models provide a convenient method for coupling existing machine learning methods to constraint-based linguistic formalisms like optimality theory and harmonic grammar. While the learning methods themselves have been well studied in this domain, the question of how these constraints originate is often left unanswered. We present a novel, error-driven approach to constraint induction that performs lightweight decisions based on local information. When evaluated on the task of reproducing human gradient phonotactic judgements, a model trained with this procedure can sometimes nearly match the performance of state-of-the-art methods that rely on global information and individual assessment of all possible constraints. We conclude by discussing methods for incorporating context and linguistic bias into the induction scheme to produce more accurate grammars.
Integer points on two families of elliptic curves

In this paper we find all the integer points on elliptic curves induced by the Diophantine triples {k − 1, k + 1, 16k − 4k} and {k − 1, k + 1, 64k− 48k + 8k} that have either rank two or 2 ≤ k ≤ 10000 (with one possible exception).
Effect of Pressure on Thermal Stability of G-Quadruplex DNA and Double-Stranded DNA Structures

Pressure is a thermodynamic parameter that can induce structural changes in biomolecules due to a volumetric decrease. Although most proteins are denatured by pressure over 100 MPa because they have the large cavities inside their structures, the double-stranded structure of DNA is stabilized or destabilized only marginally depending on the sequence and salt conditions. The thermal stability of the G-quadruplex DNA structure, an important non-canonical structure that likely impacts gene expression in cells, remarkably decreases with increasing pressure. Volumetric analysis revealed that human telomeric DNA changed by more than 50 cm3 mol−1 during the transition from a random coil to a quadruplex form. This value is approximately ten times larger than that for duplex DNA under similar conditions. The volumetric analysis also suggested that the formation of G-quadruplex DNA involves significant hydration changes. The presence of a cosolute such as poly(ethylene glycol) largely repressed the pressure effect on the stability of G-quadruplex due to alteration in stabilities of the interactions with hydrating water. This review discusses the importance of local perturbations of pressure on DNA structures involved in regulation of gene expression and highlights the potential for application of high-pressure chemistry in nucleic acid-based nanotechnology.
A New Approach To Accent Restoration Of Vietnamese Texts Using Dynamic Programming Combined With Co-Occurrence Graph

In this paper, we would like to introduce a new approach to recover Vietnamese text's accents. Given a Vietnamese text in which accents are lost, our goal is to seek for a recovered text that yields a best lexical probability. Using a dynamic programming approach, we first build a model of language for Vietnamese as a lexical database which gives lexical probabilities to Vietnamese sentences. Second, we construct a map of literal translations of Vietnamese words to restrict our searching space. Finally, we apply dynamic programming as a searching engine to seek out the most probable sentence. We also use the co-occurrence graph to increase the accuracy of selection, the experimental results show that the average accuracy of our approach is about 93%-94%.
Annealing networks and fractal landscapes

The conventional explanation for the poor scaling of Hopfield and Tank networks is that they have difficulty in balancing the tradeoff between the path length and the legality components of the energy function. An experiment is described which suggests that the conventional explanation is either wrong, or, at best, incomplete. An alternative explanation is proposed, i.e., that these networks might scale better if their dynamics effectively implemented a divide-and-conquer strategy, if they recursively decomposed the problem into smaller independent subproblems. An annealing network can do so if the energy landscape has a self-similar quasi-fractal structure. It is the author's belief that this proposition applies to both discrete and analog networks. His proposition is supported by describing his work in finding low-cost solutions for traveling salesman problems. The implications for two other optimization problems (graph bisection and coloring) are considered. <<ETX>>
An immersive approach to the visual exploration of geospatial network datasets

Classic geospatial network visualization tends to limit itself to 2D representation by organizing edges and nodes on a 2D map or the external surface of a traditional globe model. Due to the visual clutter caused by a large amount of edge crossings and node-edge overlaps, efficient exploration of geospatial network visualization becomes challenging when the positions of the nodes in the network data are unchangeable as they carry useful geographical information. This paper proposes the Sphere Immersive Model and a dedicated VR interaction method for the intuitive exploration of geospatial networks. To reduce visual clutter and reveal network patterns, we also propose a parametrizable 5-step 3D edge bundling algorithm and an approach to avoiding collision of network edges with the viewpoint. Our SIM and 3D edge bundling approaches have been implemented for an Oculus Rift environment. We demonstrate the usefulness of our approach with a case study on a real-world network dataset.
Elucidating the Relations among Seeded Image Segmentation Methods and their Possible Extensions

Many image segmentation algorithms have been proposed, specially for the case of binary segmentation (object/background) in which hard constraints (seeds) are provided interactively. Recently, several theoretical efforts were made in an attempt to unify their presentation and clarify their relations. These relations are usually pointed out textually or depicted in the form of a table of parameters of a general energy formulation. In this work we introduce a more general diagram representation which captures the connections among the methods, by means of conventional relations from set theory. We formally instantiate several methods under this diagram, including graph cuts, power watersheds, fuzzy connectedness, grow cut, distance cuts, and others, which are usually presented as unrelated methods. The proposed diagram representation leads to a more elucidated view of the methods, being less restrictive than the tabular representation. It includes new relations among methods, besides bringing together the connections gathered from different works. It also points out some promising unexplored intermediate regions, which can lead to possible extensions of the existing methods. We also demonstrate one of such possible extensions, which is used to effectively combine the strengths of region and local contrast features.
Achieving distributed trusted services

A trusted third party (TTP) has been employed in many distributed applications to provide various services such as security and reliability. This paper presents an insight into distributing the trust among a set of hosts supporting distributed applications. It critically analyses the current work and suggests perspective solutions to the problem exhibited by using a single TTP, i.e. performance and security bottlenecks, in providing trust services in general and in agent-based threshold proxy sigcryption (ATPS) protocol proposed in [A Secure Method for Signature Delegation to Mobile Agents] in specific.
Long-term survival in a patient with acinar cell carcinoma of pancreas. A case report and review of literature.

CONTEXT Acinar cell carcinoma of the pancreas is a rare malignancy that may have acinar and endocrine differentiation. Clinical practice guidelines exist for pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma. However, treatment protocols for acinar cell carcinoma of the pancreas have not been standardized. CASE REPORT We describe a case of a 44-year-old woman presenting with low grade fever and mid-abdominal tenderness secondary to a pancreatic mass with acinar and endocrine differentiation metastatic to the liver. The patient received multiple lines of conventional and investigational chemotherapy regimens. This included cycles of gemcitabine, irinotecan, oxaliplatin, docetaxel, capecitabine, octreotide, leucovorin, 5-fluorouracil, cisplatin, protein kinase C inhibitor, tyrosine kinase inhibitor, and a novel taxane. The patient developed Clostridium difficile colitis and septic shock resulting in death 37 months after the diagnosis of acinar cell carcinoma of the pancreas. CONCLUSION This is a case of acinar cell carcinoma of the pancreas with an endocrine component, treated with multiple chemotherapeutic agents, in which the patient survived 37 months after diagnosis.
Role of Histone Acetylation in the Stimulatory Effect of Valproic Acid on Vascular Endothelial Tissue-Type Plasminogen Activator Expression

Aims Stimulated release of tissue-type plasminogen activator (t-PA) is pivotal for an intravascular fibrinolytic response and protects the circulation from occluding thrombosis. Hence, an impaired t-PA production is associated with increased risk for atherothrombotic events. A pharmacological means to stimulate the production of this enzyme may thus be desirable. We investigated if the anti-epileptic drug valproic acid (VPA) is capable of enhancing t-PA expression in vitro in vascular endothelial cells, and further examined if its histone deacetylase (HDAC)-inhibitory activity is of importance for regulating t-PA expression. Methods and Results Human endothelial cells were exposed to valproic acid and t-PA mRNA and protein levels were quantified. Potential changes in histone acetylation status globally and at the t-PA promoter were examined by western blot and chromatin immunoprecipitation. Valproic acid dose-dependently stimulated t-PA mRNA and protein expression in endothelial cells reaching a 2–4-fold increase at clinically relevant concentrations and 10-fold increase at maximal concentrations. Transcription profiling analysis revealed that t-PA is selectively targeted by this agent. Augmented histone acetylation was detected at the t-PA transcription start site, and an attenuated VPA-response was observed with siRNA knock of HDAC3, HDAC5 and HDAC7. Conclusions Valproic acid induces t-PA expression in cultured endothelial cells, and this is associated with increased histone acetylation at the t-PA promoter. Given the apparent potency of valproic acid in stimulating t-PA expression in vitro this substance may be a candidate for pharmacological modulation of endogenous fibrinolysis in man.
An Exploratory Study of Voter attitudes towards a Pollsterless Remote Voting System

This paper describes an exploratory study of a prototype implementation of a pollsterless remote voting scheme, mCESG. The aim of the study was to investigate voter attitudes towards the system in general, with particular interest in the pollsterless vote veriﬁability provided. Although the focus of the study was one particular prototype system, the results provide some guidance to the design and implementation of future voting systems, particularly with regard to voter interest in vote veriﬁcation
1α,25(OH)2-3-Epi-Vitamin D3, a Natural Physiological Metabolite of Vitamin D3: Its Synthesis, Biological Activity and Crystal Structure with Its Receptor

Background The 1α,25-dihydroxy-3-epi-vitamin-D3 (1α,25(OH)2-3-epi-D3), a natural metabolite of the seco-steroid vitamin D3, exerts its biological activity through binding to its cognate vitamin D nuclear receptor (VDR), a ligand dependent transcription regulator. In vivo action of 1α,25(OH)2-3-epi-D3 is tissue-specific and exhibits lowest calcemic effect compared to that induced by 1α,25(OH)2D3. To further unveil the structural mechanism and structure-activity relationships of 1α,25(OH)2-3-epi-D3 and its receptor complex, we characterized some of its in vitro biological properties and solved its crystal structure complexed with human VDR ligand-binding domain (LBD). Methodology/Principal Findings In the present study, we report the more effective synthesis with fewer steps that provides higher yield of the 3-epimer of the 1α,25(OH)2D3. We solved the crystal structure of its complex with the human VDR-LBD and found that this natural metabolite displays specific adaptation of the ligand-binding pocket, as the 3-epimer maintains the number of hydrogen bonds by an alternative water-mediated interaction to compensate the abolished interaction with Ser278. In addition, the biological activity of the 1α,25(OH)2-3-epi-D3 in primary human keratinocytes and biochemical properties are comparable to 1α,25(OH)2D3. Conclusions/Significance The physiological role of this pathway as the specific biological action of the 3-epimer remains unclear. However, its high metabolic stability together with its significant biologic activity makes this natural metabolite an interesting ligand for clinical applications. Our new findings contribute to a better understanding at molecular level how natural metabolites of 1α,25(OH)2D3 lead to significant activity in biological systems and we conclude that the C3-epimerization pathway produces an active metabolite with similar biochemical and biological properties to those of the 1α,25(OH)2D3.
ExScal: elements of an extreme scale wireless sensor network

Project ExScal (for extreme scale) fielded a 1000+ node wireless sensor network and a 200+ node peer-to-peer ad hoc network of 802.11 devices in a 13km by 300m remote area in Florida, USA during December 2004. In comparison with previous deployments, the ExScal application is relatively complex and its networks are the largest ones of either type fielded to date. In this paper, we overview the key requirements of ExScal, the corresponding design of the hardware/software platform and application, and some results of our experiments.
When the Needs of Multicultural Classroom are Ignored: An Ethnographic Study in Nepal

The teaching-learning process begins with the interaction between the teachers and the children. Without two-way interaction between student and teachers the process is incomplete. Using ethnographic research methods, this paper aims to analyze the role of teachers in a multicultural classroom. Attempt is made to do so by exploring and understanding the school culture and its impact on children’s learning as well as the perception of the teachers in its processes. It is found that the teachers’ cultural understandings and the children’s cultural background is not adequately addressed in the teaching-learning process.
Dclk1+ small intestinal epithelial tuft cells display the hallmarks of quiescence and self-renewal

To date, no discrete genetic signature has been defined for isolated Dclk1+ tuft cells within the small intestine. Furthermore, recent reports on the functional significance of Dclk1+ cells in the small intestine have been inconsistent. These cells have been proposed to be fully differentiated cells, reserve stem cells, and tumor stem cells. In order to elucidate the potential function of Dclk1+ cells, we FACS-sorted Dclk1+ cells from mouse small intestinal epithelium using transgenic mice expressing YFP under the control of the Dclk1 promoter (Dclk1-CreER;Rosa26-YFP). Analysis of sorted YFP+ cells demonstrated marked enrichment (~6000 fold) for Dclk1 mRNA compared with YFP− cells. Dclk1+ population display ~6 fold enrichment for the putative quiescent stem cell marker Bmi1. We observed significantly greater expression of pluripotency genes, pro-survival genes, and quiescence markers in the Dclk1+ population. A significant increase in self-renewal capability (14-fold) was observed in in vitro isolated Dclk1+ cells. The unique genetic report presented in this manuscript suggests that Dclk1+ cells may maintain quiescence, pluripotency, and metabolic activity for survival/longevity. Functionally, these reserve characteristics manifest in vitro, with Dclk1+ cells exhibiting greater ability to self-renew. These findings indicate that quiescent stem-like functionality is a feature of Dclk1-expressing tuft cells.
Dressed neurons: modeling neural–glial interactions

Based on recent experimental data, we design a model for neuronal membrane potentials that incorporates the influence of the surrounding glia (dressed neurons). A neurotransmitter released into the synaptic cleft triggers a Ca2+ response in nearby glial cells that spreads as a Ca2+ wave and interacts with other synapses via the release of glutamate from astrocytes. We consider the simple case of a neuron–glia circuit that consists of a single neuron that triggers a Ca2+ response in the glial cell which in turn feeds back into synapses of the same neuron. It is shown that persistent spiking can occur if the glutamate receptors on the astrocytes are overexpressed—a condition that has been reported from patients suffering from mesial-lobe epilepsy.
Miniaturization of Microstrip Patch Antenna obtained by Patch Meandering and Shorting Pin Loading Technique

Reduced size microstrip antennas with different slot and patch shapes are investigated . The ground plane size is 20 X 20 mm and substrate thickness taken to be is 1.6mm which is about the size of atypical wireless card. Detailed simulation and experimental investigations are conducted to understand their behavior and optimize for miniaturized operation. It is shown that the shorting pin makes the patch resonate at a much lower frequency compared with the conventional patch of same size and the narrow slot increases the effective electrical length of the patch thus reducing the required disk size for an antenna operated at a given frequency and helps providing more space on ground plane for electronics. The CST simulation software is employed for optimizing the design parameters and the simulation results in general agree with the measured data. Radiation patterns, S-parameter for circular and square shaped meandered patch antennas for frequency band of 1100MHz to 3000MHz are measured and shown.
Insights into the Sesquiterpenoid Pathway by Metabolic Profiling and De novo Transcriptome Assembly of Stem-Chicory (Cichorium intybus Cultigroup “Catalogna”)

Stem-chicory of the “Catalogna” group is a vegetable consumed for bitter-flavored stems. Type and levels of bitter sesquiterpene lactones (STLs) participate in conferring bitterness in vegetables. The content of lactucin—and lactucopocrin-like STLs was higher in “Molfettese” than “Galatina” landrace stalks, regardless of the cultivation sites, consistently with bitterness scores and gustative differences. The “Galatina” transcriptome assembly resulted in 58,872 unigenes, 77% of which were annotated, paving the way to molecular investigation of the STL pathway. Comparative transcriptome analysis allowed the identification of 69,352 SNPs and of 1640 differentially expressed genes that maintained the pattern independently of the site. Enrichment analyses revealed that 4 out of 29 unigenes were up-regulated in “Molfettese” vs “Galatina” within the sesquiterpenoid pathway. The expression of two germacrene A -synthase (GAS) and one -oxidase (GAO) genes of the costunolide branch correlated positively with the contents of lactucin-like molecules, supporting that STL biosynthesis regulation occurs at the transcriptional level. Finally, 46 genes encoding transcription factors (TFs) maintained a differential expression pattern between the two varieties regardless of the growth site; correlation analyses among TFs, GAS, GAO gene expressions and STLs contents suggest that one MYB and one bHLH may act in the pathway.