Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Dynamic Assortment Customization with Limited Inventories

We consider a retailer with limited inventory of identically priced, substitutable products. The retailer faces a market with multiple segments of customers that are heterogeneous with respect to their product preferences. Customers arrive sequentially, and the firm decides which subset of products to offer to each arriving customer depending on the customer’s preferences, the inventory levels, and the remaining time in the season. We show that it is optimal to limit the choice set of some customers (even when the products are in stock), reserving products with low inventory levels for future customers who may have a stronger preference for those products. In certain settings, we prove that it is optimal to follow a threshold policy under which a product is offered to a customer segment if its inventory level is higher than a threshold value. The thresholds are decreasing in time and increasing in the inventory levels of other products. We introduce two heuristics derived by approximating the future marginal expected revenue by the marginal value of a newsvendor function that captures the substitution dynamics between products. We test the impact of assortment customization using data from a fashion retailer. We find that the potential revenue impact of assortment customization can be significant, especially when customer heterogeneity is high and when the products’ inventory-to-demand ratios are asymmetric. Our findings suggest that assortment customization can be used as another lever for revenue maximization in addition to pricing.
Editorial Review. Attempted suicide in old age

Studies of attempted suicide (parasuicide, deliberate self‐harm) in old age published between 1985 and 1994 are critically reviewed with reference to demography, suicide methods, stressors, psychiatric features and outcome. Despite methodological weaknesses, the studies consistently identified a number of factors long regarded as being associated with suicidal behaviour in old age. These include being unmarried, social isolation, impaired physical health, high suicidal intent and mental illness (particularly major depression). In contrast to earlier research, recent studies have found relationship problems to be a prominent factor. However, in the past decade there has been inadequate examination of psychosocial precipitants, motivations and psychopathology and the manner in which these factors interact. The possibilities of the psychological trait of hopelessness and the biological trait of low central serotonergic activity being linked with suicide attempts in the elderly require further research. Future studies should be prospective, longitudinal, use standardized measures, matched control groups and include evaluations of post‐suicide attempt interventions, hopelessness and central serotonergic activity.
Dispersion processes

We study a synchronous process called dispersion. Initially M particles are placed at a distinguished origin vertex of a graph G. At each time step, at each vertex v occupied by more than one particle at the beginning of this step, each of these particles moves to a neighbor of v chosen independently and uniformly at random. The process ends at the first step when no vertex is occupied by more than one particle. For the complete graph Kn, for any constant δ > 1, with high probability, if M ≤ n/2(1 − δ), the dispersion process finishes in O(logn) steps, whereas if M ≥ n/2(1 + δ), the process needs eΩ(n) steps to complete, if ever. A lazy variant of the process exhibits analogous behavior but at a higher threshold, thus allowing faster dispersion of more particles. For paths, trees, grids, hypercubes, and Abelian Cayley graphs of large enough size, we give bounds on the time to finish and the maximum distance traveled from the origin as a function of M.
Renin Overexpression Leads to Increased Titin‐Based Stiffness Contributing to Diastolic Dysfunction in Hypertensive mRen2 Rats

Hypertension is a major risk factor for heart failure (HF). We investigated the influence of hypertension on cardiac contraction and relaxation in transgenic renin overexpressing rats (carrying mouse Ren‐2 renin gene, mRen2, n=6). Blood pressure (BP) was measured by tail‐cuff method, echocardiography was used to characterize cardiac contractility, cellular force measurements and biochemical assays were applied to reveal molecular mechanisms. Sprague‐Dawley (SD) rats (n=6) were used as control. Systolic BP was elevated in mRen2 rats (235.11±5.32 vs. 127.03±7.56 mmHg in SD, P<0.05), resulting in increased left ventricular (LV) weight/body weight ratio (4.05±0.09 vs. 2.77±0.08 mg/g in SD, P<0.05). No effects of transgenic renin expression on systolic parameters, such as LV ejection fraction (EF, 68.50±2.09 vs. 70.17±1.45 % in SD), maximal Ca2+‐activated force (25.89±0.99 vs. 29.05±2.80 kN/m2 in SD) and Ca2+‐sensitivity of force production (pCa50, 5.83±0.01 vs. 5.87±0.05 in SD) were found. In contrast, pronounced diastolic dysfunction (DD) was observed in mRen2 rats: ratio of peak early and late LV diastolic filling (E/A) was lower (1.14±0.04 vs. 1.87±0.08, P<0.05), LV isovolumetric relaxation time was longer (43.85±0.89 vs. 28.55±1.33 ms, P<0.05) and cardiomyocyte passive stiffness was higher (1.74±0.06 vs. 1.28±0.18 kN/m2, P<0.05), compared to SD, respectively. Finally, hyperphosphorylation of titin at Ser‐12742 within the PEVK domain (P<0.05) proposed a molecular mechanism for DD. Our data suggest a link between the activation of renin‐angiotensin‐aldosterone system and increased titin‐based stiffness through phosphorylation of titin's PEVK element, contributing to DD. Accordingly, mRen2 rat might provide an in vivo model for HF with preserved EF (HFpEF).
Copyright 2009 by Human Factors and Ergonomics Society, Inc. All rights reserved. 10.1518/107118109X12524441079580

Many current and emerging systems for Cognitive State Assessment have yet to achieve the goals required for application for Augmented Cognition. Numerous efforts are working towards this goal but may lack the ability to be unified into a reliable and generalizable Cognitive State Gauge. The overall purpose of this effort is to determine under what conditions multiple minimally intrusive physiological sensors can be used together and validly applied to areas within a modular cognitive state assessment framework. This study investigated the utility of various measures in detecting changes in cognitive state. We examined the differences within the output from multiple physiological sensing devices under varying levels of task difficulty during a task that was highly dependent on spatial ability (SPA). Supportive evidence for a modular cognitive state gauge (MCSG) was revealed with the finding of significant results for several physiological measures on a novel spatial task.
Low Levels of Microbial Translocation Marker LBP Are Associated with Sustained Viral Response after Anti-HCV Treatment in HIV-1/HCV Co-Infected Patients

Background Microbial translocation (MT) contributes to immune activation during HIV and HCV infections. We investigated the kinetics of MT markers during anti-HCV and anti-HIV treatments, and if baseline plasma levels of lipopolysaccharide (LPS), lipopolysaccharide binding protein (LBP) and soluble CD14 (sCD14) could predict anti-HCV treatment outcome. Methods Plasma from 78 HIV-infected patients was evaluated for LPS, LBP and sCD14. The patients starting anti-HCV treatment (with ongoing antiretroviral (ART) treatment) were categorized into sustained viral responders (SVR; n = 21) or non-responders (NR; n = 15) based on treatment outcome. ART starting subjects—were categorized into chronically HCV-infected (CH; n = 24) and mono-infected (HIV; n = 18), based on the HCV infection status. Samples were collected before start (at baseline) of pegylated-interferon-alpha/ribavirin (peg-IFN/RBV) or antiretroviral-therapy and two years after treatment start (at follow up). χ2–test, non-parametric statistics and logistic regression were applied to determine the associations with treatment response and changes of the soluble markers. Results Plasma levels of LPS and sCD14 were elevated in all subjects before antiviral-treatment but remained unchanged at follow-up. Elevated levels of LBP were present in patients with HIV and HIV/HCV co-infection and were reduced by ART. Additionally, higher levels of LBP were present at baseline in NR vs. SVR. Higher levels of LBP at baseline were associated with non-response to peg-IFN/RBV treatment in both bivariate (OR: 0.19 95% CI: 0.06–0.31, p = 0.004) and multivariate analysis (OR: 1.43, 95% CI: 1.1–1.86, p = 0.07). Conclusion In HIV/HCV co-infected patients high baseline LBP levels are associated with non-response to peg-IFN/RBV therapy. Plasma LBP (decreased by ART) may be a more relevant MT marker than LPS and sCD14.
Limitations and Prospects for Diffusion-Weighted MRI of the Prostate

Diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) is the most effective component of the modern multi-parametric magnetic resonance imaging (mpMRI) scan for prostate pathology. DWI provides the strongest prediction of cancer volume, and the apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) correlates moderately with Gleason grade. Notwithstanding the demonstrated cancer assessment value of DWI, the standard measurement and signal analysis methods are based on a model of water diffusion dynamics that is well known to be invalid in human tissue. This review describes the biophysical limitations of the DWI component of the current standard mpMRI protocol and the potential for significantly improved cancer assessment performance based on more sophisticated measurement and signal modeling techniques.
A simple class-set based vegetation classification of a South Pacific volcanic island (Moorea Island, French Polynesia) using both AirSAR and MASTER data

This paper addresses the vegetation mapping and land use of Opunohu Valley (Moorea Island, French Polynesia) using JPL-AirSAR and MASTER (MODIS/ASTER simulator) images. We first define an original set of classes based on the relative canopy-height of vegetation, out of a well-suited RGB SAR-composite image that visually discriminates our vegetation classes. An interesting "pineapple fields" class (an important economic resource in Moorea island) proves to discriminate particularly from the height-related "Low Vegetation" class. Two supervised maximum likelihood classification maps have been processed on both the AirSAR and the MASTER images, using aerial photographs as a ground truth training set. The vegetal species included in each class as well as the classification results are discussed. Comparison of the MASTER and AirSAR based classification results leads us to propose a fusion of AirSAR and MASTER classification maps keeping the best of both worlds in order to improve the overall accuracy of the AirSAR classification.
Web Services Testing via Goal and Mutation

Semantic Web Services (SWS) introduce a semantic layer to the current web infrastructure, enabling the automated processing of web tasks. Different frameworks have been proposed for designing SWS, however, there has been little research in the area of testing SWS. Generating test cases for SWS is challenging due to its dynamic nature and abstract views, evaluating the test cases is equally essential in order to ensure the quality of the test suite. In this paper, we propose a goal oriented generation and mutation based evaluation approach towards SWS testing. This way, the generation (model-based) and evaluation (code-based) procedures are totally independent to each other, which further provides a much accurate measurement on the results. In addition, a tool support has been developed to automate the major steps in the proposed solution.
The Zeigarnik Phenomenon Revisited: Implications for Enhancement of Morale

Zeigarnik's notion of need tension following task interruption was reexamined by comparing the time estimates of task-interrupted and task-completed groups (n = 15 each). Overestimation characterized the former and underestimation the latter group. Tasks with clear endpoints are thought to be associated with high morale.
Are stem changes as natural as affixes?

Deux types de processus ont ete proposes pour rendre compte du comportement linguistique des mots morphologiquement complexes: le changement de radical et l'affixation. L'A. montre que le premier est plus difficile a acquerir que le second dans des langues telles que l'anglais, l'allemand et l'hebreu. Il propose une experimentation ou les sujets doivent apprendre la morphologie du pluriel d'une langue artificielle dans laquelle la regularite/irregularite des changements de radical et de l'affixation est controlee. Il montre ainsi que c'est bien le caractere regulier/irregulier qui entre en jeu dans la plus grande facilite d'utilisation des suffixes comme marqueurs du pluriel dans les langues naturelles
Relationships between features of collage works, block works, and personality

Features of collage works and block works were examined from the viewpoints of form and content in particular. Relationships between the Tokyo University Egogram scores and these features were then examined. The participants with high Critical Parent scores tended to correlate with the number of human figures ( r = .56, p < .10) and plants ( r = -.55, p < .10) present in their collage works and with the number of basic blocks ( r = -.67, p < .05). Meanwhile, those with high Adult scores correlated with the number of human figures ( r = .57, p < .10) present in their collages and the number of basic blocks ( r = -.62, p < .10). Finally, those with high Free Child scores tended to correlate with the area of expression ( r = .72, p < .05) in collage works and the number of specific blocks ( r = .65, p < .05).
The International Whaling Commission, Small-type Whaling, and Coming to Terms with Subsistence

The International Whaling Commission (IWC) classifies whaling operations as either aboriginal-subsistence or commercial for purposes of regulation. At the present time a "pause" in commercial whaling is in effect, although subsistence whaling continues under an exemption granted to aboriginal whalers. The IWC operates with ambiguous definitions of the key terms "subsistence" and "commercial" and requires that whaling be one or the other. This policy creates serious problems for various groups of smalltype coastal whalers who engage in subsistence yet are not aboriginal people. The difficulty the IWC is experiencing in resolving this problem appears to adversely affect not just the whalers and their small coastal communities, but also the credibility, effectiveness, and perhaps the viability of the IWC itself.
Disentangling the mechanisms of cognitive changes after STN‐DBS: A step forward

At the beginning of this century neuropsychological consequences of deep brain stimulation of the subthalamic nucleus (STN) were tested in more detail. SaintCyr and colleagues formed the predominant opinion, demonstrating severe negative effects of DBS on cognitive functioning specifically in older patients suffering from Parkinson’s disease. However, Pillon and colleagues relativized the findings leading to this opinion, showing that STN-DBS is a safe procedure in cognitively intact patients. In the last 15 years a lot of efforts have been made to characterize the neuropsychological changes induced by STN-DBS, and two major findings were evident in randomized, controlled studies and meta-analyses. Following STN-DBS, patients show a decline in Stroop test performance and in verbal fluency performance. In this issue of the Movement Disorders journal Tr€ oester and colleagues present the neuropsychological data of a randomized trial examining the impact of using an STN-DBS constant-current device in patients with Parkinson’s disease. The specific advantage of the study is the shifted starting design that brings us a step forward in understanding the mechanisms of cognitive changes after STN-DBS. Two-thirds of the patients received stimulation immediately after device implantation, and onethird of the patients received stimulation 3 months after implantation. This unique design enables the authors to disentangle the neuropsychological effects of implantation from stimulation. The authors report four major findings. (1) Constant-current stimulation of the STN is associated with the same minor cognitive changes reported for constant voltage devices. Although this is an important finding, it is not surprising given that both techniques show comparable outcomes in motor performance. (2) In Stroop test performance there were only declines in the stimulation group. (3) Category verbal fluency declined in both groups, whereas for letter verbal fluency there were only declines in the stimulation group. (4) Letter verbal fluency declines were associated with worse subscore communication of a quality-of-life score. On this basis, we are further able to disentangle the mechanism of STN-DBS on cognitive functions.
Expression of the T Cell Receptor αβ on a CD123+ BDCA2+ HLA-DR+ Subpopulation in Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma

Human Plasmacytoid Dendritic Cells (PDCs) infiltrating solid tumor tissues and draining lymph nodes of Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma (HNSCC) show an impaired immune response. In addition to an attenuated secretion of IFN-α little is known about other HNSCC-induced functional alterations in PDCs. Particular objectives in this project were to gain new insights regarding tumor-induced phenotypical and functional alterations in the PDC population. We showed by FACS analysis and RT-PCR that HNSCC orchestrates an as yet unknown subpopulation exhibiting functional autonomy in-vitro and in-vivo besides bearing phenotypical resemblance to PDCs and T cells. A subset, positive for the PDC markers CD123, BDCA-2, HLA-DR and the T cell receptor αβ (TCR-αβ) was significantly induced subsequent to stimulation with HNSCC in-vitro (p = 0.009) and also present in metastatic lymph nodes in-vivo. This subgroup could be functionally distinguished due to an enhanced production of IL-2 (p = 0.02), IL-6 (p = 0.0007) and TGF-β (not significant). Furthermore, after exposure to HNSCC cells, mRNA levels revealed a D-J-beta rearrangement of the TCR-beta chain besides a strong enhancement of the CD3ε chain in the PDC population. Our data indicate an interface between the PDC and T cell lineage. These findings will improve our understanding of phenotypical and functional intricacies concerning the very heterogeneous PDC population in-vivo.
Aggressive Multimodal Approach for Anaplastic Thyroid Cancer and Long-Term Survival

Anaplastic thyroid cancer (ATC) comprises 1-2% of all thyroid cancers and is one of the most aggressive cancers with a median survival rate of around four months. The average 5-year survival rate has been reported to be around 3.6%. In this paper, we have discussed management and prognostic variables of a patient with ATC who has survived for more than 5 years. A 59-year-old female was referred to our facility for an elective thyroid and parathyroidectomy for concerns of thyroid papillary cancer and hyperparathyroidism. At the time of surgery, the tumor mass had invaded the muscular layer of esophagus; radicle thyroidectomy parathyroidectomy along with removal of muscle layer of esophagus was performed, and diagnosis of ATC was made. The patient was treated with chemoradiation with a good treatment response and no recurrence of tumor for two and a half years until PET/CT followed by wedge biopsy of lung confirmed ATC recurrence. The patient was treated with another course of radiation treatment with a good treatment response. Since then, the patient has been following in our outpatient oncology clinic and has no evidence of tumor recurrence. Aggressive multimodal approach of combining radicle surgery with chemoradiation treatment in select patients of ATC with no distant metastasis helps improve prognosis.
A survey on MANET simulation tools

Simulation play important role in the testing and development of any network. It is very expensive to test every network protocol or any network algorithm in real network by connecting a number of routers, computers and data links. Simulation tool (Simulator) is a piece of software or hardware provides a virtual environment to network though the network is not actually present. There are many simulators present for mobile ad-hoc network. These simulators cover various aspects of this network. This paper describes the network simulators for mobile ad-hoc network to help the researchers for choosing the simulator, which will be efficient, reliable as per their requirements.
Ethnic Heterogeneity of Social Networks and Cross-Ethnic Friendships of Elementary School Boys and Girls

The present study examines the ethnic heterogeneity of children's social networks and cross-ethnic friendships as a function of gender, age, and time in an ethnically diverse school. Subjects were 350 children in first through sixth grades. Mutual peer nominations of 350 children yielded 956 reciprocal dyads and 88 social network groups. Girls had larger and more ethnically diverse social networks than boys. Girls were more likely to belong to a social network group and less likely than boys to be isolates as the school year progressed. At roughly fifth and sixth grade, girls had more reciprocal friends than boys, and at roughly third and fourth grade, girls were more likely than boys to have cross-ethnic friends. With regard to friendship stability, same-ethnic/same-gender (girl) dyads were most stable and cross-ethnic/mixed-gender (boy-girl) dyads were least stable.
Encoding Library of Congress Subject Headings in SKOS: Authority control for the Semantic Web

This paper will explore using XSLT stylesheets to translate LCSH Authority Records from MARC/XML or MADS XML formats into RDF documents according to the SKOS project's Quick Guide to Publishing a Thesaurus on the Semantic Web. Creating an RDF Data Store that represents the content of LCSH will have tremendous long-term benefits in allowing a greater breadth of applications to make full use of the relationships between concepts provided by LC Subject Headings.
The influence of physical state and color on perceived sweetness.

Smell, texture, temperature, and other variables can influence the evaluation of foods and beverages. The purpose of this study was to investigate the influence of physical state and color on perceived sweetness. Fifty junior high school students were given 10 samples of an aqueous sucrose solution in liquid and solid (gelatin) form in random order and were asked to rate their sweetness on a 10-point scale. For each state (liquid and solid), there were 4 colors (red, blue, yellow, and green) plus a colorless control. It was hypothesized that the liquid samples would be perceived as sweeter than the solid samples. The mean rating of the 5 liquid samples (7.61) was more that twice as high as the mean rating of the 5 solid samples (3.11). To determine whether this main effect for physical state held for each color, the mean difference in perceived sweetness between the liquid and solid samples by color was computed. A series of t tests revealed that the mean differences were significant at the . 001 level in the expected direction for each color and the colorless control. There was no significant effect of color. These results strongly support the hypothesis that liquid samples are perceived as sweeter than solid samples.