Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Bidder Behavior in Continuous Combinatorial Auctions A Data-Driven Exploration of Bidder Behavior in Continuous Combinatorial Auctions

Combinatorial auctions – in which bidders can bid on combinations of goods – have been shown to increase the economic efficiency of a trade when goods have complementarities. However, the computational complexity of determining winners coupled with the cognitive complexity of formulating combinatorial bids has prevented this mechanism from reaching the online marketplace. Drawing from recent research in continuous combinatorial auctions, this study uses a data-driven approach to explore bidder behavior in such auctions using three experimental treatments that differ in the type of information feedback provided to participants. This study is the first to examine bidder strategies in complex combinatorial bidding environments. To do so, we collect not only the bids placed by bidders but also the clicks generated by the bidders as they explore different bundling options. Using cluster analysis, we find three stable bidder strategies across the three treatments. The different bidding strategies along with the nature of feedback have significant economic implications in terms of the surplus retained by the bidders themselves as well as the total revenue generated for the sellers. We believe that the enumeration of the strategies along with the analysis of their financial implications will help practitioners design better combinatorial auction environments.
The Cryoprotective Effect on Frozen-thawed Boar Semen of Egg Yolk Low Density Lipoproteins

In order to protect the spermatozoa against cold shock, hen egg yolk is widely used as a cryoprotective agent in semen freezing extenders for domestic animals. The protective action of yolk is largely presumed to be due to low density lipoproteins (LDL). The effects of LDL on sperm quality of bull and northern pike (Esox lucius) after freezing-thawing have been reported, but no study has been made to evaluate the effect of LDL on boar sperm motility and other characteristics. The experiment was carried out to investigate the effect of LDL on the freezing of boar sperm in 0.25 ml straws. The aim was to evaluate the quality of boar spermatozoa cryopreserved in the presence of LDL. Motility of semen cryopreserved in LDL was analyzed and compared to semen cryopreserved with Tris-citric acid-glucose (TCG) and Tris-citric acid-fructose (TCF), two basic freezing extenders containing egg yolk. Similarly, acrosome and plasma membrane integrity were also evaluated and compared to semen cryopreserved with TCG and TCF. Analysis of sperm quality after freeze-thaw showed that the motility, acrosome and plasma membrane integrity were improved with LDL in the extender, as compared to the TCG and TCF. The highest post-thaw integrity of acrosome and plasma membrane and motility were obtained with 9% LDL (w/v). Consequently, the optimum LDL concentration in the extender was 9%. It is also suggested that the concentration of LDL addition is important for the effect on boar sperm protection during freezing and thawing. The percentage of motile spermatozoa was significantly higher after freezing in 9% LDL than in TCG and TCF 54.4% versus 30.4% and 30.1% (p<0.05), respectively. The integrity of acrosome and plasma membrane were also significantly higher at 70.3% and 50.5% respectively with semen frozen in 9% LDL extender compared to TCG at 37.8% and 30.3% and TCF at 36.4% and 29.9%, respectively (p<0.05),. In conclusion, we propose that extender containing LDL extracted from hen egg yolk could be used as a cryoprotective media with a better efficiency than TCG and TCF. LDL improved boar semen quality, allowing better spermatozoa motility, acrosome and plasma membrane integrity after the freeze-thaw process. Furthermore, we found out that the extender with 9% LDL concentration significantly enhanced motility, acrosome and plasma membrane integrity of boar sperm after freezing and thawing. (Asian-Aust. J. Anim. Sci. 2006.
Microfracture of a Baclofen Pump Catheter with Intermittent Under- and Overdose

An 8-year-old boy with an implanted intrathecal baclofen pump presented with intermittent signs of baclofen under- and overdose. Pump interrogation, pump volumes, plain X-rays, catheter contrast fluoroscopy and CT of the intrathecal catheter tip were unremarkable. A microfracture of the extradural catheter was only seen at a magnification of ×20 and confirmed by scanning electron microscopy. Symptoms resolved following replacement. Microfracture of the intrathecal catheter of baclofen pump systems may present puzzling symptomatology and be difficult to diagnose by conventional means.
Pig Amelogenin Gene Expresses a Unique Exon 4

The pig amelogenin gene was isolated from a Lambda genomic library, and a 6.3 kb Sal I/ Xba I restriction fragment, inclusive of exons 3 through 7, was subcloned into a plasmid vector. DNA sequencing revealed two putative exon 4 sequences. The derived amino acid sequence of exon 4a, KSGRWGARLTAFVSSVQ, had previously been identified in a 190-amino-acid amelogenin isoform by protein sequencing. Exon 4b encoded the peptide DLYLEAIRIDRTAF, which is homologous to exon 4-encoded segments reported for human, mouse, and rat. Oligonucleotides from both of these exons were used to amplify cDNA generated from developing teeth. Amplification products were analyzed by agarose gel electrophoresis, cloned, and characterized by DNA sequencing. Exon 4a was found in transcripts encoding amelogenin isoforms having 190 and 73 amino acids. Exon 4b was found only in apparent splicing intermediates that retained intron 3, but was not detected in any final mRNA transcripts. Pig amelogenins having apparent molecular mass of 23 kD were isolated from the enamel matrix and characterized by mass spectrometry. Two mass values, 18,512.5, and 18,571.2 Da, were measured that match the values predicted for the 162-amino-acid cleavage product of the 173-amino-acid amelogenin, and the 165-amino-acid cleavage product of the 190-amino-acid amelogenin, which includes 17 amino acids encoded by exon 4a. We conclude that the pig amelogenin gene expresses a unique exon 4 that is not homologous to, or evolved from, the exon 4 segment expressed in humans and rodents.
1 0 RNA export : insights from viral models

A defining feature of eukaryotic cells is the division of the cell into a nucleus and cytoplasm. This division separates the site of RNA transcription from the site of translation, and this requires mRNAs to be exported from the nucleus via the nuclear pore to direct the synthesis of proteins in the cytoplasm. Importantly, naked RNA is not exported. In the nucleus, RNA is associated with a number of proteins forming a ribonucleoprotein (RNP) complex. RNPs exit the nucleus by going through the nuclear pore complex, which is also composed of a large number of proteins and functions as a specific gate. Only designated proteins or RNPs are allowed to pass through the nuclear pore. Identification of the proteins involved in export – both those that bind or are associated with the RNA and those in the nuclear pore complex – is ongoing. Experiments in Xenopus oocytes reveal multiple, energy-dependent export pathways for different classes of RNA [1]. In these experiments, radiolabelled RNAs are microinjected into the nuclei of Xenopus oocytes. After incubation, nuclei are dissected manually from the cytoplasm and RNA is extracted from both compartments. Rates of export can be determined by the relative amounts of RNA in each compartment over time. Injection of an excess of unlabelled RNA will inhibit export, presumably by saturating a limiting factor. For example, if an excess of mRNA is used, then radiolabelled mRNA will
Two Dimension Locally Principal Component Analysis for Face Recognition

In this paper, we propose a feature extraction method called two dimension locally principal component analysis (2DLPCA) for face recognition, which is based directly image matrix rather than 1D image vectors. 2DLPCA seeks to discover the intrinsic image local structure. This local structure may contain useful information for discrimination. Experimental results on ORL face database show the effectiveness of the proposed algorithm.
Correction for Barttfeld et al., Signature of consciousness in the dynamics of resting-state brain activity

NEUROSCIENCE Correction for “Signature of consciousness in the dynamics of resting-state brain activity,” by Pablo Barttfeld, Lynn Uhrig, Jacobo D. Sitt, Mariano Sigman, Béchir Jarraya, and Stanislas Dehaene, which appeared in issue 3, January 20, 2015, of Proc Natl Acad Sci USA (112:887–892; first published January 5, 2015; 10.1073/pnas.1418031112). The authors note that Figs. 1 and 2 appeared incorrectly. The corrected figures and their legends appear below.
Genetic Characterization of Mutations Which Affect Catabolite-Sensitive Operons in Escherichia coli, Including Deletions of the Gene for Adenyl Cyclase

Sixty-two spontaneous mutations have been characterized which reduce the level of expression of catabolite-sensitive operons. These mutations appear to affect either the crp (catabolite gene activator protein) or cya (adenyl cyclase) loci. No new loci have been discovered. Deletions of the cya gene do not remove an essential function. φ80 transducing phage for the cya gene have been used to do recombination and complementation studies on cya mutants.
The Piperaceae—A family profile

The Piperaceae, while not so large a family as a number of others are nonetheless to be considered a comparatively big one, conservatively estimated to contain at least 2000 or probably more species. Members of the family occur throughout the tropics of both hemispheres, with major concentrations and centers of dispersal occurring in Latin America and in Malaysia. In the United States only a few species of Peperomia are to be found, in southern Florida. There are some who hold the opinion that far too many species have already been described on the basis of insignificant microcharacters of little taxonomic value. One can readily agree that questionable species have been described in the past, but it can be pointed out that more recently a considerable number have been and are being reduced to synonymy, and there appears little doubt that more will eventually be so reduced. This situation, of course, as every one recognizes, prevails elsewhere and is not peculiar to the Piperaceae, although the exuberance of species-making in that family may have been over-acute at times. Unfortunately, too many species have been founded on fragmentary and inadequate or immature material. A more unfortunate situation is that a number of species have been redescribed from similar material found across boundary lines in political areas different from that of the original type. While it is a fact that there has been a marked reduction of older names to synonymy, it must, at the same time, be acknowledged that a considerable number of new ones have been more recently added. The reason for this should readily be understood when one recalls the tremendous amount of collecting which has been carried out in Latin America, especially by American and other collectors during the past two or three decades. These collectors penetrated into areas hitherto botanically little known and in what might be termed the heart of piperland, and brought out great quantities of material. Much of this has proven to be new to science. Anyone collecting in the tropics where members of the Piperaceae are abundant quickly becomes impressed with the number and variety of species and their often rather local distribution. It is believed that as intensive explorations of these more inaccessible areas continue that many additional species will be brought to light. Linnaeus, in his Species plantarum, in 1753, recognized 17 species in the family, all of which were included in the genus Piper. It was not until about 40 years later, in 1794, that Ruiz and Pavon introduced Peperomia as the second genus. The family name was first used by L. C. Rich in Humboldt, Bonpland and Kunth 's Nova genera et species plantarum in 1815. During the next half century a number of additional genera, for the most part segregates of Piper, were described by Sprengel, Kunth, Miquel, and others. More recently several additional generic segregates have been made through the work of Trelease.
Long time behaviour of Ricci flow on open 3-manifolds

We study the long time behaviour of Ricci flow with bubbling-off on a possibly noncompact $3$-manifold of finite volume whose universal cover has bounded geometry. As an application, we give a Ricci flow proof of Thurston's hyperbolisation theorem for $3$-manifolds with toral boundary that generalizes Perelman's proof of the hyperbolisation conjecture in the closed case.
Offline handwritten numeral recognition using orthogonal Gaussian mixture model

In the statistical approach to offline handwritten numeral recognition, we use the Gaussian mixture model (GMM) to approximate arbitrary class conditional probability density. For simplification, the GMM is assumed to be diagonal covariance matrices. In the case of the features of handwritten numerals being correlated statistically, a large number of mixture components are usually needed to obtain a good approximation. To solve this problem, the feature vectors are first transformed to the space spanned by the eigenvectors of the covariance matrix so that the correlation among the elements is reduced, namely orthogonal transformation. This GMM is defined as orthogonal Gaussian mixture model (OGMM). Finally, the effectiveness of this algorithm is demonstrated by applying it to the NIST database.
Studies of similarity

Any event in the history of the organism is, in a sense, unique. Consequently, recognition, learning, and judgment presuppose an ability to categorize stimuli and classify situations by similarity . As Quine (1969) puts it: "There is nothing more basic to thought and language than our sense of similarity ; our sorting of things into kinds [p . 1161 . " Indeed, the notion of similarity that appears under such different names as proximity, resemblance, communality, representativeness, and psychological distance is fundamental to theories of perception, learning, and judgment . This chapter outlines a new theoretical analysis of similarity and investigates some of its empirical consequences . The theoretical analysis of similarity relations has been dominated by geometric models. Such models represent each object as a point in some coordinate space so that the metric distances between the points reflect the observed similarities between the respective objects . In general, the space is assumed to be Euclidean, and the purpose of the analysis is to embed the objects in a space of minimum dimensionality on the basis of the observed similarities, see Shepard (1974) . In a recent paper (Tversky, 1977), the first author challenged the dimensionalmetric assumptions that underlie the geometric approach to similarity and developed an alternative feature-theoretical approach to the analysis of similarity relations. In this approach, each object a is characterized by a set of features, denoted A, and the observed similarity of a to b, denoted s(a, b), is expressed as a function of their common and distinctive features (see Fig . 4.1) . That is, the observed similarity s(a, b) is expressed as a function of three arguments : A f1B, the features shared by a and b ;A B, the features of a that are not shared by b ; B A, the features of b that are not shared by a . Thus the similarity between
Selectivity and Promiscuity of the First and Second PDZ Domains of PSD-95 and Synapse-associated Protein 102*

PDZ domains typically interact with the very carboxyl terminus of their binding partners. Type 1 PDZ domains usually require valine, leucine, or isoleucine at the very COOH-terminal (P0) position, and serine or threonine 2 residues upstream at P−2. We quantitatively defined the contributions of carboxyl-terminal residues to binding selectivity of the prototypic interactions of the PDZ domains of postsynaptic density protein 95 (PSD-95) and its homolog synapse-associated protein 90 (SAP102) with the NR2b subunit of theN-methyl-d-aspartate-type glutamate receptor. Our studies indicate that all of the last five residues of NR2b contribute to the binding selectivity. Prominent were a requirement for glutamate or glutamine at P−3 and for valine at P0 for high affinity binding and a preference for threonine over serine at P−2, in the context of the last 11 residues of the NR2b COOH terminus. This analysis predicts a COOH-terminal (E/Q)(S/T)XV consensus sequence for the strongest binding to the first two PDZ domains of PSD-95 and SAP102. A search of the human genome sequences for proteins with a COOH-terminal (E/Q)(S/T)XV motif yielded 50 proteins, many of which have not been previously identified as PSD-95 or SAP102 binding partners. Two of these proteins, brain-specific angiogenesis inhibitor 1 and protein kinase Cα, co-immunoprecipitated with PSD-95 and SAP102 from rat brain extracts.
FOXL2‐mutations in blepharophimosis‐ptosis—epicanthus inversus syndrome (BPES); challenges for genetic counseling in female patients

Mutations in the forkhead transcription factor gene 2 (FOXL2) were recently reported to cause blepharophimosis‐ptosis‐epicanthus inversus syndrome (BPES) types I and II. Evidence was provided that BPES type I (eyelid abnormalities and female infertility) is caused by mutations resulting in a truncated FOXL2 protein. In contrast, mutant FOXL2 proteins, either with inserted aminoacids in the forkhead domain or polyalanine tract, or with novel aminoacids at the carboxyl end, were found in BPES type II, in which fertility is generally normal. We report a 32‐year‐old female patient with sporadic BPES and a history of menstrual cycle irregularities and periods of secondary amenorrhoea. A heterozygous frameshift mutation (c959‐960insG) was found in the FOXL2 gene, resulting in a predicted FOXL2 protein with 212 novel aminoacids in the carboxyl end, suggesting BPES type II despite menstrual irregularities. The clinical presentations of our patient and of three female patients with BPES type II in the report of De Baere et al. [2001: Hum Mol Genet 10:1591–1600. ] indicate phenotypic overlap between BPES type I and II. These observations do not support a clear‐cut prediction of female fertility based on the FOXL2 molecular defect. As a consequence, FOXL2 mutation testing in female patients of child‐bearing age with BPES should be handled with caution, and a two‐step genetic counseling approach, including an initial pre‐test information session, is proposed. © 2003 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
DPcode: Privacy-Preserving Frequent Visual Patterns Publication on Cloud

Nowadays, cloud has become a promising multimedia data processing and sharing platform. Many institutes and companies plan to outsource and share their large-scale video and image datasets on cloud for scientific research and public interest. Among various video applications, the discovery of frequent visual patterns over graphical data is an exploratory and important technique. However, the privacy concerns over the leakage of sensitive information contained in the videos/images impedes the further implementation. Although the frequent visual patterns mining (FVPM) algorithm aggregates summary over individual frames and seems not to pose privacy threat, the private information contained in individual frames still may be leaked from the statistical result. In this paper, we study the problem of privacy-preserving publishing of graphical data FVPM on cloud. We propose the first differentially private frequent visual patterns mining algorithm for graphical data, named DPcode. We propose a novel mechanism that integrates the privacy-preserving visual word conversion with the differentially private mechanism under the noise allocation strategy of the sparse vector technique. The optimized algorithms properly allocate the privacy budgets among different phases in FPM algorithm over images and reduce the corresponding data distortion. Extensive experiments are conducted based on datasets commonly used in visual mining algorithms. The results show that our approach achieves high utility while satisfying a practical privacy requirement.
Structures Routing in Medium Access Control and Secure Systemin LAN Networks

Wireless mesh networking is new model for next broadband wireless access. The ad hoc process of wireless mesh networks (WMNs) take and sharing medium access control (MAC) protocols is applied. In wireless Ad-hoc network the connection among the wireless linksis fixed are not dependent.The channel medium and links are affected by the interference tractions and buffer loaded.These may cause the network rules imported. This model take systematically derive the layering structure of different models of several protocol applications.Their interfaces and the control data that must cross these structures to achieve different results and security it is per-to-per in allocation within the network models throughput region different random access different per-to-per message taking. The application of the proposed algorithms to quasi model networks is certain nodes may possess additional capabilities and these alleviate any processing loads is also taken.
Deep Imaging Search for Planets Forming in the TW Hya Protoplanetary Disk with the Keck/NIRC2 Vortex Coronagraph

Distinct gap features in the nearest protoplanetary disk, TW Hya (distance of 59.5 ± 0.9 pc), may be signposts of ongoing planet formation. We performed long-exposure thermal infrared coronagraphic imaging observations to search for accreting planets, especially within dust gaps previously detected in scattered light and submillimeter-wave thermal emission. Three nights of observations with the Keck/NIRC2 vortex coronagraph in L′ (3.4–4.1 μm) did not reveal any statistically significant point sources. We thereby set strict upper limits on the masses of non-accreting planets. In the four most prominent disk gaps at 24, 41, 47, and 88 au, we obtain upper mass limits of 1.6–2.3, 1.1–1.6, 1.1–1.5, and 1.0–1.2 Jupiter masses (MJ), assuming an age range of 7–10 Myr for TW Hya. These limits correspond to the contrast at 95% completeness (true positive fraction of 0.95) with a 1% chance of a false positive within 1″ of the star. We also approximate an upper limit on the product of the planet mass and planetary accretion rate of implying that any putative ∼0.1 MJ planet, which could be responsible for opening the 24 au gap, is presently accreting at rates insufficient to build up a Jupiter mass within TW Hya’s pre-main-sequence lifetime.