Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
2 5 O ct 2 01 7 Optimal Mechanism Design with Flexible Consumers and Costly Supply 1

The problem of designing a profit-maximizing, Bayesian incentive compatible and individually rational mechanism with flexible consumers and costly heterogeneous supply is considered. In our setup, each consumer is associated with a flexibility set that describes the subset of goods the consumer is equally interested in. Each consumer wants to consume one good from its flexibility set. The flexibility set of a consumer and the utility it gets from consuming a good from its flexibility set are its private information. We adopt the flexibility model of [1] and focus on the case of nested flexibility sets — each consumer’s flexibility set can be one of k nested sets. Examples of settings with this inherent nested structure are provided. On the supply side, we assume that the seller has an initial stock of free supply but it can purchase more goods for each of the nested sets at fixed exogenous prices. We characterize the allocation and purchase rules for a profit-maximizing, Bayesian incentive compatible and individually rational mechanism as the solution to an integer program. The optimal payment function is pinned down by the optimal allocation rule in the form of an integral equation. We show that the nestedness of flexibility sets can be exploited to obtain a simple description of the optimal allocations, purchases and payments in terms of thresholds that can be computed through a straightforward iterative procedure.
Virtual Reality Integrated Welder Training

Training in the welding industry is a critical and often costly endeavor; this study examines the training potential, team learning, material consumption, and cost implications of using integrated virtual reality technology as a major part of welder training. In this study, 22 participants were trained using one of two separate methods (traditional training (TT) and virtual reality integrated training (VRI)). The results demonstrated that students trained using 50% virtual reality had training outcomes that surpassed those of traditionally trained students across four distinctive weld qualifications (2F, 1 G, 3F, 3G). In addition, the VRI group demonstrated significantly higher levels of team interaction, which led to increased team-based learning. Lastly, the material cost impact of the VRI group was significantly less than that of the TT group even though both schools operated over a full two-week period.
INTERACTION BETWEEN R&D AND ECONOMIC INDICATORS IN LITHUANIA

Innovation in many countries around the world has long become a key engine for economic development, enabling high level of productivity and the quality of life. However, various qualitative studies on correlation between research and development (R&D) performance and economic performance in different countries carried out by E. Poole, J. T. Bernard, J. Adams, M. I. Nadiri and others show that it is difficult to carry out the monitoring and evaluation of R&D performance or innovation, as the benefits of academic activity are disaggregated and of qualitative nature and has a long cause-effect chain. The article focuses on economic efficiency of R&D performance,- there are the principal possibilities for identifying the impact of R&D performance on main economic indicators in Lithuania using the methods of mathematical statistics determined. DOI: http://dx.doi. org/10.5755/j01.em. 17.1. 2267
Effect of Different Diet Level on the Physiological Adaptability, Biochemical and Endocrine Responses and Relative Hepatic HSP70 and HSP90 Genes Expression in Osmanabadi Kids

The study was conducted to investigate the impact of different levels of feed on the adaptive capability based on physiological, blood biochemical, endocrine and molecular mechanisms in growing Osmanabadi kids. The primary objective of the study was to identify if HSP70 and HSP90 can be a nutritional stress marker for goat. The study was conducted for a period of two months. The animals were randomly divided into three groups as GI (n = 6; ad libitum feeding), GII (n = 6; 20% less than ad libitum) and GIII (n = 6; 40% less than ad libitum). The animals were fed with feed consisting of 50% roughage and 50% concentrate. Blood collection was carried out at fortnightly intervals. Body weights were recorded at weekly interval. Physiological responses, biochemical responses, plasma tri-iodo-thyronine (T3), thyroxin (T4) and cortisol were recorded at fortnightly interval. At the end of study period, only GI and GIII animals were slaughtered and different organs were collected for histopathological studies as well as for hepatic HSP70 and HSP90 mRNA transcript expression. Body weight recorded showed significant (P < 0.01) differences between the groups. Physiological responses showed significant (P < 0.01) variation among the groups. Among the biochemical parameters, plasma glucose and total plasma protein and globulin showed significant (P < 0.01) differences between the groups. Plasma T3 (P < 0.01), T4 (P < 0.01) and cortisol (P < 0.05) also differed significantly between the groups. The relative hepatic HSP70 mRNA transcript expression was significantly (P < 0.05) higher in GIII (2.8 fold) as compared to GI (1 fold) kids. Similar result was obtained for hepatic HSP90 mRNA transcript expression. From the results, it can be concluded that Osmanabadi kids possessed the ability to alter their adaptive mechanisms to maintain homeostasis. Further, the study revealed the significance of providing the optimum nutrition for these animals to adapt to existing environmental conditions. The study also established that respiration rate (RR), rectal temperature (RT), T3, T4 and cortisol are considered as nutritional stress markers for goat. Further, the results revealed that probably this is the first study to establish the nutritional stress impact on heat shock protein (HSP) expression in goats. The study identified both HSP70 and HSP90 to be the ideal molecular markers for feed deficit in goats.
Refinements to the Köhler's theory of aerosol equilibrium radii, size spectra, and droplet activation: Effects of humidity and insoluble fraction

[1] Hygroscopic growth of mixed aerosol particles and activation of cloud condensation nuclei (CCN) are considered using Kohler theory without the assumption of a dilute solution and accounting for the effect of insoluble fraction. New analytical expressions are derived for the equilibrium wet radius of the wet aerosol and for the critical radii and supersaturations for CCN activation for both volume-distributed soluble fraction and a soluble shell on the surface of an insoluble core (e.g., mineral dust particle). These expressions generalize the known equations of the Kohler theory, and the accuracy and applicability of the classical expressions are clarified. On the basis of these new expressions, a general but simple method is derived for calculation of the wet size spectrum and the CCN activity spectrum from the dry aerosol size spectrum. The method is applicable for any arbitrary shape of the dry aerosol spectra. Some applications for evaluation of aerosol extinction and homogeneous ice nucleation in a polydisperse aerosol are briefly considered. The method described here can be used in cloud and climate models, in particular, for evaluation of the aerosol direct and indirect effects.
New Indicators for Program Evaluation.

Many program evaluations involve some type of statistical testing to verify that the program has succeeded in accomplishing initially established goals. In many cases, this takes the form of null hypothesis significance testing (NHST) with t-tests, analysis of variance, or some form of the general linear model. This paper contends that, at least for program evaluation, the focus of NHST and its recommended alternatives misses the target of what evaluators really need to know about a program's success: (1) how meaningful to the client the changes attributable to the program are; (2) how many participants actually achieved these changes; and (3) how practical the program was. An approach is recommended that borrows from approaches used in the medical sciences to accumulate replicative evidence from repeated applications of the same program or from programs of a similar nature. This allows a defensible descriptive analysis of program effectiveness and efficiency. Taking a more descriptive approach means examining sustainable clinical improvement that results from the program. Using sustainable clinical improvement and the indicators of practical significance produces answers and makes statistical inference welcome, when warranted, but not necessary. (Contains 5 figures and 54 references.) (SLD) Reproductions supplied by EDRS are the best that can be made from the original document.
Syddansk Universitet Leg pain location and neurological signs relate to outcomes in primary care patients with low back pain

Background: Low back pain (LBP) patients with related leg pain and signs of nerve root involvement are considered to have a worse prognosis than patients with LBP alone. However, it is unclear whether leg pain location above or below the knee and the presence of neurological signs are important in primary care patients. The objectives of this study were to explore whether the four Quebec Task Force categories (QTFC) based on the location of pain and on neurological signs have different characteristics at the time of care seeking, whether these QTFC are associated with outcome, and if so whether there is an obvious ranking of the four QTFC on the severity of outcomes. Method: Adult patients seeking care for LBP in chiropractic or general practice were classified into the four QTFC based on self-reported information and clinical findings. Analyses were performed to test the associations between the QTFC and baseline characteristics as well as the outcomes global perceived effect and activity limitation after 2 weeks, 3 months, and 1 year and also 1-year trajectories of LBP intensity. Results: The study comprised 1271 patients; 947 from chiropractic practice and 324 from general practice. The QTFC at presentation were statistically significantly associated with most of the baseline characteristics, with activity limitation at all follow-up time points, with global perceived effect at 2 weeks but not 3 months and 1 year, and with trajectories of LBP. Severity of outcomes in the QTFC increased from LBP alone, across LBP with leg pain above the knee and below the knee to LBP with nerve root involvement. However, the variation within the categories was considerable. Conclusion: The QTFC identify different LBP subgroups at baseline and there is a consistent ranking of the four categories with respect to outcomes. The differences between outcomes appear to be large enough for the QTFC to be useful for clinicians in the communication with patients. However, due to variation of outcomes within each category individuals’ outcome cannot be precisely predicted from the QTFC alone. It warrants further investigation to find out if the QTFC can improve existing prediction tools and guide treatment decisions.
DPPH radical scavenging activity of extracts from Rhamnus prinoides

Hexane, chloroform, ethyl acetate and methanolic extracts from leaves and stem-bark of Rhamnus prinoides were evaluated for their antioxidant activity by DPPH radical scavenging assay. The leaves extracts showed scavenging activity ranging from 03.33±0.89 to 55.03±3.40 µg mL-1 while the stem-bark extracts showed relatively strong scavenging activity ranging from 03.65±1.02 to 59.55±2.27 µg mL-1. The IC50 values of R. prinoides hexane leaves extract (RPHELS), R. prinoides chloroform leaves extract (RPCHLS), R. prinoides ethyl acetate leaves extract (RPEALS), R. prinoides methanolic leaves extract (RPMELS), R. prinoides hexane stem-bark extract (RPHESB), R. prinoides chloroform stem-bark extract (RPCHSB), R. prinoides ethyl acetate stem-bark extract (RPEASB) and R. prinoides methanolic stem-bark extract (RPMESB) were found to be >3000, >3000, >3000, 950.42, ~1500, 710.50, ~1000 and 902.78 µg mL-1, respectively. The positive control ascorbic acid showed an IC50 value of <200 µg mL-1. From this study, we concluded that the extracts from R. prinoides showed promising antioxidant activity. R. prinoides finds therapeutic applications in the traditional medicine. Further research is required to commercialize products from this plant. Key words: Antioxidant, ascorbic acid, Rhamnus prinoides, radical scavenging assay, methanolic extract, chloroform extract, hexane extract, ethyl acetate extract.
Accounts of a Critical Artefacts Approach to Design Anthropology

This article aims to contribute to a discussion of what design anthropology brings to the deployment of critical modes of engagement and artefacts in design. And, conversely, discuss how this specific framing of design anthropology may add to its disciplinary potential. I propose to do this by discussing how design provocations and critical artefacts, as transitional devices, and at different stages in a design process, can evoke a critical stance or render intrinsic controversies visible, while turning the artefacts into objects of mediation between heterogeneous assemblages of stakeholders, contexts and concerns. By framing design anthropology within a distinctly speculative and critical approach to design, this article furthermore brings into question the value of ethnographic inquiry as merely implications for design, and goes on to suggest a richer and more interventionist application of anthropology with specific relevance for the scaffolding and articulation of a critical stance in design.
Population dynamics in a guild of four Mediterranean ungulates: density-dependence, environmental effects and inter-specific interactions

Population fluctuations in ungulates are driven by both intrinsic and extrinsic factors. Available information, however, mainly refers to arctic, temperate and African ungulate populations, while the dynamics of Mediterranean species, exposed to a milder climate, is known to a much lesser extent. Here we studied the population dynamics of four wild ungulate species in the Castelporziano Preserve near Rome, Italy, as obtained from detailed bag counts from hunting drives during the period 1878–1986: the Italian roe deer Capreolus capreolus italicus, the Maremma wild boar Sus scrofa majori (both endemic to Italy), the native red deer Cervus elaphus, and the alien fallow deer Dama dama. We also considered the effects of the presence of another alien ungulate, the nilgai Boselaphus tragocamelus. This ungulate community experienced an accidental ‘removal experiment’ when, during World War II, red deer and nilgai were exterminated. This event and the length of the time series allowed us to test two main hypotheses: 1) that the complexity level of the ungulate community affects the strength of intra- and inter-specific competition; and 2) that in Mediterranean environments intra- and inter-specific interactions are stronger than climate forcing. Statistical methods ranged from state-space-modelling, GLM analysis and structural equation models. The results indicated that direct intra-specific density dependence played a relevant role for all species, and was stronger after the removal. A complex pattern of species interactions was however revealed; fallow deer had a negative effect on roe deer population, while roe deer had an apparent positive effect on red deer and wild boar, possibly mediated by environmental factors. Nilgai appeared to facilitate all deer species. The results of the analysis also confirmed that at present climate appears to play a minor role with respect to density dependence; however, the increasing aridity of the Mediterranean area could change this picture in coming decades.
Salinity in Autumn-Winter Season and Fruit Quality of Tomato Landraces

Tomato landraces, originated by adaptive responses to local habitats, are considered a valuable resource for many traits of agronomic interest, including fruit nutritional quality. Primary and secondary metabolites are essential determinants of fruit organoleptic quality, and some of them, such as carotenoids and phenolics, have been associated with beneficial proprieties for human health. Landraces’ fruit taste and flavour are often preferred by consumers compared to the commercial varieties’ ones. In an autumn-winter greenhouse hydroponic experiment, the response of three Southern-Italy tomato landraces (Ciettaicale, Linosa and Corleone) and one commercial cultivar (UC-82B) to different concentrations of sodium chloride (0 mM, 60 mM or 120 mM NaCl) were evaluated. At harvest, no losses in marketable yield were noticed in any of the tested genotypes. However, under salt stress, fresh fruit yield as well as fruit calcium concentration were higher affected in the commercial cultivar than in the landraces. Furthermore, UC-82B showed a trend of decreasing lycopene and total antioxidant capacity with increasing salt concentration, whereas no changes in these parameters were observed in the landraces under 60 mM NaCl. Landraces under 120 mM NaCl accumulated more fructose and glucose in the fruits, while salt did not affect hexoses levels in UC-82B. Ultra-performance liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry analysis revealed differential accumulation of glycoalkaloids, phenolic acids, flavonoids and their derivatives in the fruits of all genotypes under stress. Overall, the investigated Italian landraces showed a different behaviour compared to the commercial variety UC-82B under moderate salinity stress, showing a tolerable compromise between yield and quality attributes. Our results point to the feasible use of tomato landraces as a target to select interesting genetic traits to improve fruit quality under stress conditions.
Potential of Auxin in Inducing Spike Branching Trait in Black Pepper

Black pepper, the „King of Spices‟ has high value in the international market. Natural varieties of Piper nigrum (black pepper) usually have non-branched spikes. However, a natural selection of black pepper viz. „Pepper Thekken‟, shows inflorescence branching character i.e., about 20-30 branches per spike which is a trait of high economic value that is directly linked to the yield potential of this valuable spice crop. Auxin polar transport is reported to be one of the regulatory factors for branching architecture in many plants. Hence, in the present study, we tried to analyse the role of auxin in inducing branching trait in „Thekken‟ through quantification of Indol acetic acid content in immature spikes using HPLC and comparing it with that of non-branching varieties like „Karimunda‟ and “Panniyur1”. The study revealed that the IAA content in the spikes of branching variety „Thekken‟ was significantly low, that is about 1/4 th and 1/3 rd of „Panniyur‟ and „Karimunda‟ respectively. K e y w o r d s
BENCHOP – SLV: the BENCHmarking project in Option Pricing – Stochastic and Local Volatility problems

ABSTRACT In the recent project BENCHOP – the BENCHmarking project in Option Pricing we found that Stochastic and Local Volatility problems were particularly challenging. Here we continue the effort by introducing a set of benchmark problems for this type of problems. Eight different methods targeted for the Stochastic Differential Equation (SDE) formulation and the Partial Differential Equation (PDE) formulation of the problem, as well as Fourier methods making use of the characteristic function, were implemented to solve these problems. Comparisons are made with respect to time to reach a certain error level in the computed solution for the different methods. The implemented Fourier method was superior to all others for the two problems where it was implemented. Generally, methods targeting the PDE formulation of the problem outperformed the methods for the SDE formulation. Among the methods for the PDE formulation the ADI method stood out as the best performing one.
Communities of Innovation: Composition, Climate, and Process Variables in Group Innovation

Communities of Innovation: Composition, Climate, and Process Variables in Group Innovation Bradley D. Marianno Department of Sociology, BYU Master of Science Drawing upon the Communities of Innovation (COI) framework, this study seeks to identify the composition (functional demographic diversity), team climate (vision, participatory safety, task orientation, support for innovation), and process (group reflection, group flow, group conflict, dynamic expertise) variables that influence team-level innovation. Using data from 15 business school teams enrolled in a class on innovation and entrepreneurship, I explore the extent to which the proposed composition, team climate, and process variables discriminate between high-ranking and low-ranking innovative teams. I also investigate the degree to which these variables are conceptually and empirically distinct. Given the relative importance of dynamic expertise as a group process, I seek to answer how dynamic expertise is fostered in COIs. Finally, this study seeks to answer the degree to which the proposed composition, team climate, and process variables influence team level innovation. I found significantly greater levels of vision, participatory safety, support for innovation, group reflection, group flow, and dynamic expertise and significantly lower levels of group conflict in high-ranking innovative teams. No significant differences in levels of task orientation and functional diversity existed. Furthermore, the identified COI elements, particularly the team climate measures, are moderately correlated, suggesting that some elements of the COI are not empirically distinct. I found dynamic expertise to be of particular importance to COIs, and demonstrated that a supportive environment and group flow are particularly important to its development. Finally, results from a multinomial logistic regression model showed that support for innovation, group flow, and dynamic expertise were positively associated with the likelihood of being in a high-ranking innovative team. Implications for the COI framework are discussed.
Small-molecule azomethines: organic photovoltaics via Schiff base condensation chemistry

Conjugated small-molecule azomethines for photovoltaic applications were prepared via Schiff base condensation chemistry. Bulk heterojunction (BHJ) devices exhibit efficiencies of 1.2% with MoOx as the hole-transporting layer. The versatility and simplicity of the chemistry is illustrated by preparing a photovoltaic device directly from the reaction mixture without any form of workup.
Identification of microfungi isolated from Belian fruits.

Belian tree (Eusideroxylon zwageri Teijsm. & Binn.) is one of the highly demanded commercial timber tree indigenous to the Southeast Asian region. The tree is threatened with over exploitation; habitat destruction and slow regeneration. While vascular plants are known as major reservoirs of fungi species, there have been no studies to identify the microfungi isolated from fruits of this endemic tree. By using internal transcribed spacers (ITS) sequence analysis, five genera were isolated and identified as Annulohypoxylon, Daldinia, Hypoxylon, Lasiodiplodia and Trichoderma. This result will be primarily used as baseline data for further investigations on microfungi diversity associated with Belian tree.