Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Behavior-Based Price Discrimination by a Patient Seller

We investigate a model in which one seller and one buyer trade in each of two periods. The buyer has demand for one unit of a non-durable object per period. The buyer's reservation value for the good is private information and is the same in both periods. The seller commits to prices in each of two periods. Prices in the second period may depend on the buyer's first-period behavior. Unlike the equal discount factor case studied in earlier papers, we show that when the seller is more patient than the buyer, second-period prices increase after a purchase. In particular, the optimal dynamic pricing scheme is not a repetition of the optimal static pricing scheme.
A hierarchical classification approach for tor anonymous traffic

Tor is an anonymous communication system that can protect our privacy, but it also provides a haven for criminals to avoid network tracing. Therefore, anonymous traffic analysis and classification is an important part of maintaining network security. Existing Tor traffic classification methods require a large number of labeled data, and the classification accuracy rate is not satisfied for practical using. This paper presents a hierarchical classification approach for Tor anonymous traffic. An improved decision tree algorithm (Tor-IDT) is used to identify the Tor anonymous traffic from the mixed traffic, and then the Tri-Training algorithm is used to segment the identified anonymous traffic at the application level. Experiments show that the recognition rate of Tor anonymous traffic is more than 99%, the accuracy of classification can reach 94%, and less labeled data is needed, which proves that this hierarchical classification algorithm has wider applicability and higher classification accuracy.
A phase I and pharmacokinetic study of the mitochondrial-specific rhodacyanine dye analog MKT 077.

This Phase I study was performed to evaluate the tolerability and pharmacokinetic behavior of MKT-077, a water soluble rhodacyanine dye analogue, which partitions into tumor cell mitochondria where it is thought to act as a metabolic poison, leading to G1 arrest and apoptosis. Thirteen patients with advanced solid malignancies were treated with MKT-077 administered as a 30-min i.v. infusion weekly for 4 weeks every 6 weeks at doses ranging from 42 to 126 mg/m2/week. The principal toxicity was renal magnesium wasting, which was dose-limiting (grade 3) in one patient at each of the 84- and 126-mg/m2 dose levels. The other three patients at the 126-mg/m2 dose level developed grade 2 hypomagnesemia, which was cumulative in nature, improved with i.v. magnesium supplementation, and was controlled in two patients by the administration of prophylactic magnesium before and after treatment with MKT-077. Given the requirement for extensive monitoring of serum magnesium levels, dose escalation >126 mg/m2 was not considered feasible. Thus, the recommended dose for disease-oriented studies with this schedule of MKT-077 is 126 mg/m2/week. Pharmacokinetic studies revealed a prolonged terminal half-life (37 +/- 17 h) and a large volume of distribution (685 +/- 430 liters/m2). Clearance averaged 39 +/- 13 liters/h/m2. Peak MKT-077 plasma concentrations (1.2 +/-0.31 to 6.3 +/- 5.3 microg/ml) exceeded the IC50 concentrations required for human CX-1 colon, MCF-breast, CRL-1420 pancreas, EJ bladder, and LOX melanoma tumor cell lines in vitro (0.15-0.5 microg/ml). These results indicate that at the recommended dose level of 126 mg/m2/week of MKT-077, the toxicity profile was consistent with the preferential accumulation of the agent within tumor cell mitochondria, and biologically relevant plasma concentrations were achieved.
Nisin Resistance of Listeria monocytogenes Is Increased by Exposure to Salt Stress and Is Mediated via LiaR

ABSTRACT Growth of Listeria monocytogenes on refrigerated, ready-to-eat food is a significant food safety concern. Natural antimicrobials, such as nisin, can be used to control this pathogen on food, but little is known about how other food-related stresses may impact how the pathogen responds to these compounds. Prior work demonstrated that exposure of L. monocytogenes to salt stress at 7°C led to increased expression of genes involved in nisin resistance, including the response regulator liaR. We hypothesized that exposure to salt stress would increase subsequent resistance to nisin and that LiaR would contribute to increased nisin resistance. Isogenic deletion mutations in liaR were constructed in 7 strains of L. monocytogenes, and strains were exposed to 6% NaCl in brain heart infusion broth and then tested for resistance to nisin (2 mg/ml Nisaplin) at 7°C. For the wild-type strains, exposure to salt significantly increased subsequent nisin resistance (P < 0.0001) over innate levels of resistance. Compared to the salt-induced nisin resistance of wild-type strains, ΔliaR strains were significantly more sensitive to nisin (P < 0.001), indicating that induction of LiaFSR led to cross-protection of L. monocytogenes against subsequent inactivation by nisin. Transcript levels of LiaR-regulated genes were induced by salt stress, and lmo1746 and telA were found to contribute to LiaR-mediated salt-induced nisin resistance. These data suggest that environmental stresses similar to those on foods can influence the resistance of L. monocytogenes to antimicrobials such as nisin, and potential cross-protective effects should be considered when selecting and applying control measures for this pathogen on ready-to-eat foods.
Complete genome sequence of bacteriophage VvAW1, which infects Vibrio vulnificus

Investigating the bacteriophages of vibrios has led to significant insights into the evolution and pathogenicity of their host strains. This report presents the first complete genome sequence of a bacteriophage that infects the deadly human pathogen Vibrio vulnificus. The phage was isolated from the surface waters of the Ala Wai Canal, which is part of an urban watershed in eastern Honolulu, Hawaii, USA. The phage particle is icosahedral, with a diameter of 35–40 nm, and a small non-contractile tail. The genome was sequenced in its entirety, rendering a 38 kb sequence located on a single, linear, circularly permuted chromosome. Here, we present the annotation and genomic features of the bacteriophage, VvAW1.
Salivary Melatonin as a Circadian Phase Marker: Validation and Comparison to Plasma Melatonin

There are many situations in which it would be useful to know the phase state of the biological clock. It is recognized that measurement of melatonin levels can provide this information, but traditionally blood has been used for the analysis, and there are many problems in extending the measurements into the home or field situations. The aim of this study was to develop and validate a salivary melatonin radioimmunoassay and to compare results obtained against a plasma assay for determining the onset of melatonin secretion. The assay developed was sensitive (4.3 pM) and required only 200 μl of sample. A rhythm in melatonin was detected in saliva, peaking at approximately 120 pM or 30% of the plasma levels. Using an objective criterion for determining the onset of secretion (mean ± 2 standard deviations of three daytime samples), the time of onset was shown to exhibit low intraindividual variability (coefficient of variation = 1.5%-4.3%). The time of onset determined using saliva was significantly correlated with the plasma onset (r = .70, p < .05). The onsets determined were 22:30 h ± 22 min for the saliva and 21:50 h ± 16 min for plasma for 17 subjects. Similarly, the acrophases of the saliva and plasma melatonin rhythms were significantly correlated. Neither posture alone nor changes in posture affected the calculation of the onset of melatonin secretion using the saliva approach. Very high saliva flow rates induced by citric acid resulted in lower melatonin concentrations compared to the gentle chewing on parafin film. These results firmly establish the use of salivary melatonin measurements for phase typing of the melatonin rhythm in humans.
Robust Portfolio Protection: A Scenarios-based Approach

This paper constructs a portfolio protection model to deal with uncertain adverse returns. Our model considers an adjustable discrete uncertainty set to control the conservatism of the robust portfolio. Without prior assumptions on the data generating process, we develop an a priori probabilistic guarantee of the robust portfolio. Unlike previous measures that depend solely on the uncertainty model, our measure also takes into account asset allocation and investment horizon. We provide an application of international portfolio protection covering the financial crisis period. Computational experiments and ex-post analysis provide evidence for the effectiveness of our model.
An Autonomic QoE-Aware Management Architecture for Software-Defined Networking

Context-oriented computing has introduced new challenges in Quality of Service (QoS) management since the diversity of applications, forms of access and the TCP/IP architecture model make it difficult to provide services aware of Quality of Experience (QoE). In view of that, we propose an autonomous architecture of service provision and delivery that is QoE aware. The proposed components were designed and validated in a Software-Defined Networking environment. The results demonstrate that the solution is able to collect and infer the user's experience; map the QoS parameters in QoE to predict the Mean Opinion Score, and act autonomously to adjust the resources in the underlying network infrastructure, avoiding degradation of QoE.
Management of chronic suppurative otitis media

Not so long ago our community was comfortable using the words doctor, nurse and patient. However, as medicine has adopted the culture of the commercial world, with its emphasis on clinical products and customer focus, some consider that these traditional titles have reached their use-by date. Now doctors and nurses have become healthcare providers, and patients are known as clients, customers, or consumers. It is argued that the term “consumers” more appropriately conveys the choice that people may wish to exercise in decisions about their health, and the expression “healthcare providers” reflects the current emphasis on teamwork. But there is a new twist to the tale. At a recent healthcare policy conference the “consumer” representative was introduced as a “cancer consumer”. My editorial sensitivity was somewhat shaken. The Oxford Concise Dictionary defines a consumer as: “1. a person who consumes esp. one who uses a product. 2. a purchaser of goods or services. ” Was the introduction an unintended slip of the tongue? Did the chairman mean “cancer-care consumer”? Apparently not. The person identified himself as just that — a “cancer consumer”, a survivor of cancer — and went on to describe what “cancer consumers” want. Are health “consumers” specialising? We already have “research consumers” and “mental health consumers”. Will we now see “cardiac consumers”, “diabetic consumers”, “colorectal consumers”, and so on? An overwhelming criticism of modern medicine is the dominance of specialism, which has led to fault lines in medicine with the emergence of increasingly isolated specialties, accompanied by their somewhat insular and introspective lobby groups. Will the same fate befall the consumer movement?
Managing Turbulence: Business Model Development in a Family-Owned Airline

How can a family business reduce environmental uncertainty and dependence by developing its business model, changing the logic of creating and capturing value through its activities? Cimber, a Denmark-based family-owned airline, has developed different business models since its establishment in 1950. Resource dependence theory can help illuminate the actions that Cimber took in this process. The family played an important role in balancing internal and external influences, shaping the scope and complexity of the business model, and creating specific path dependencies.
Safranal of Crocus sativus L. Inhibits Inducible Nitric Oxide Synthase and Attenuates Asthma in a Mouse Model of Asthma

The present study involves evaluation of antioxidant potential of Crocus sativus and its main constituents, safranal (SFN) and crocin (CRO), in bronchial epithelial cells, followed antiinflammatory potential of the active constituent safranal, in a murine model of asthma. To investigate the antioxidizing potential of Crocus sativus and its main constituents in bronchial epithelial cells, the stress was induced in these cells by a combination of different cytokines that resulted in an increase in nitric oxide production (NO), induced nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) levels, peroxynitrite ion generation, and cytochrome c release. Treatment with saffron and its constituents safranal and crocin resulted in a decrease of NO, iNOS levels, peroxynitrite ion generation, and prevented cytochrome c release. However, safranal significantly reduced oxidative stress in bronchial epithelial cells via iNOS reduction besides preventing apoptosis in these cells. In the murine model of asthma study, antiinflammatory role of safranal was characterized by increased airway hyper‐responsiveness, airway cellular infiltration, and epithelial cell injury. Safranal pretreatment to these allergically inflamed mice lead to a significant decrease in airway hyper‐responsiveness and airway cellular infiltration to the lungs. It also reduced iNOS production, bronchial epithelial cell apoptosis, and Th2 type cytokine production in the lungs. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Near-Optimal Resource Allocation Algorithms for 5G+ Cellular Networks

Fifth-generation and beyond (5G+) systems will support novel cases, and hence, require new network architecture. In this paper, network flying platforms (NFPs) as aerial hubs are considered in future 5G+ networks to provide fronthaul connectivity to small cells (SCs). We aim to find the optimal association between the NFPs and SCs to maximize the total sum rate subject for quality of service, bandwidth, and supported number of link constraints. The formulated optimization problem is an integer linear program and the optimal association between the NFPs and SCs is found using numerical solvers at the expense of high computational complexity. We propose two algorithms (centralized and distributed) to reach a sub-optimal association at reduced complexity. Simulation results show that the performance of the proposed algorithms approaches the counterpart of its optimal solution and outperforms the state-of-the-art techniques from the literature.
The Effect of Graft Pretensioning on Bone Tunnel Diameter and Bone Formation After Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction in a Rat Model: Evaluation With Micro–Computed Tomography

Background: Moderate graft pretensioning in anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction is paramount to restore knee stability and normalize knee kinematics. However, little is known about the effect of graft pretensioning on graft-to-bone healing after ACL reconstruction. Hypothesis: Moderate graft pretensioning will improve bone formation within the bone tunnel after ACL reconstruction, resulting in superior load to failure. Study Design: Controlled laboratory study. Methods: 67 male Sprague-Dawley rats underwent unilateral ACL reconstruction with a flexor digitorum longus tendon autograft. The graft was subjected to pretensioning forces of 0 N, 5 N, or 10 N. Custom-made external fixators were used for knee immobilization postoperatively. Rats were euthanized for biomechanical load-to-failure testing (n = 45) and micro–computed tomography (μCT) examination (n = 22) at 3 and 6 weeks after surgery. Three regions of each femoral and tibial bone tunnel (aperture, middle, and tunnel exit) were chosen for measurement of tunnel diameter and new bone formation. Results: Biomechanical tests revealed significantly higher load-to-failure in the 5-N graft pretensioned group compared with the 0- and 10-N groups at 3 weeks (8.58 ± 2.67 N vs 3.96 ± 1.83 N and 4.46 ± 2.62 N, respectively) and 6 weeks (16.56 ± 3.50 N vs 10.82 ± 1.97 N and 7.35 ± 2.85 N, respectively) after surgery (P < .05). The mean bone tunnel diameters at each of the 3 regions were significantly smaller in the 5-N group, at both the femoral and tibial tunnel sites, than in the 0- and 10-N groups (P < .05). At 3 and 6 weeks postoperatively, the bone mineral density, bone volume fraction, and connectivity density around the aperture and middle regions of the tibial bone tunnels were all significantly higher in the 5-N group compared with the 0- and 10-N groups (P < .05). In the aperture and middle regions of the femoral bone tunnels, pretensioning at either 5 or 10 N resulted in increased bone formation compared with the nonpretensioned group at 3 weeks postoperatively. No differences were found in bone formation between any of the 3 femoral tunnel regions at 6 weeks. Conclusion: Graft pretensioning can stimulate new bone formation and improve tendon-to-bone tunnel healing after ACL reconstruction. Clinical Relevance: Optimal graft pretensioning force in ACL reconstruction can improve bone tunnel healing. Further study is necessary to understand the mechanisms underlying the effect of graft pretensioning on healing at the bone-tunnel interface.
Intraoperative radiotherapy in early breast cancer

Intraoperative radiotherapy (IORT) constitutes a paradigm shift from the conventional 3–5 weeks of whole‐breast external beam radiotherapy (EBRT). IORT enables delivery of radiation at the time of excision of the breast tumour, targeting the area at highest risk of recurrence, while minimizing excessive radiation exposure to healthy breast tissue. The rationale for IORT is based on the observation that over 90 per cent of local recurrences after breast‐conserving surgery occur at or near the original operation site.
A new framework for the fusion of object and scene based on IHS transform

By introducing the concept of IHS transform and intensity modulation, this paper proposes a new framework for the fusion of object and scene. A comparative experiment within the framework using the standard IHS transform fusion technique and wavelet technique as intensity fusion tools respectively has proved its practicality well. Furthermore, regarding the particularity of the fusion of object and scene, we adopt a more appropriate assessment scheme which combines local quality evaluation method with global quality evaluation method to assess the fusion quality objectively besides subjective evaluation.
The effect of sodium nitroprusside on psychotic symptoms and spatial working memory in patients with schizophrenia: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial

Background Sodium nitroprusside (SNP) has been reported to rapidly reduce psychotic symptoms in patients with schizophrenia. This has the potential to revolutionize treatment for schizophrenia. In this study, we tested the hypothesis that SNP leads to a reduction in psychotic symptoms and an improvement in spatial working memory (SWM) performance in patients with schizophrenia. Method This was a single-centre, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial performed from 27 August 2014 to 10 February 2016 (clinicaltrials.gov identifier: NCT02176044). Twenty patients with schizophrenia aged 18–60 years with a diagnosis of schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder were recruited from psychiatric outpatient clinics in the South London and Maudsley NHS Trust, London, UK. Baseline symptoms were measured using the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS) and the 18-item Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale (BPRS-18), and SWM was assessed using the CANTAB computerized test. Participants received either an infusion of SNP (0.5 μg/kg per min for 4 h) or placebo and were re-assessed for symptoms and SWM performance immediately after the infusion, and 4 weeks later. Results SNP did not lead to any reduction in psychotic symptoms or improvement in SWM performance compared to placebo. Conclusions Although this study was negative, it is possible that the beneficial effects of SNP may occur in patients with a shorter history of illness, or with more acute exacerbation of symptoms.
The Luminal Domain of ATF6 Senses Endoplasmic Reticulum (ER) Stress and Causes Translocation of ATF6 from the ER to the Golgi*

ATF6 is an endoplasmic reticulum (ER) transmembrane transcription factor that is activated by the ER stress/unfolded protein response by cleavage of its N-terminal half from the membrane. We find that ER stress induces ATF6 to move from the ER to the Golgi, where it is cut in its luminal domain by site 1 protease. ATF6 contains a single transmembrane domain with 272 amino acids oriented in the lumen of the ER. We found that this luminal domain is required for the translocation of ATF6 to the Golgi and its subsequent cleavage, and we have mapped regions required for these properties. These results suggest that the conserved CD1 region is required for translocation, whereas the CD2 region is required for site 1 protease cleavage. We also find that ATF6's luminal domain is sufficient to sense ER stress and cause translocation to the Golgi when fused to LZIP, another ER transmembrane protein. These results show that ATF6 has a mechanism to sense ER stress and respond by translocation to the Golgi.
Draft Genome Sequence of USA100 Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus Strain 209

ABSTRACT USA100 strains are significant contributors to the overall burden of health care-associated methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) infections. Strain 209 is a representative MRSA isolate that serves as a model organism for agr type II studies and USA100 virulence assessments. We present a draft genome sequence of this strain.