Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
EQUILIBRIUM AND WELFARE IN UNREGULATED AIRLINE MARKETS

This paper introduces and analyzes a monopolistically competitive model of airline markets which takes account of the product differentation effect resulting from variation in flight departure times, and the effects of flight frequency and load factor on service quality. The basic results are that (1) when the direct benefits (to consumers) of increasing flight frequency are exhausted, socially optimal choices of price and frequency result in zero profits for the industry, but (2) a noncooperative, free entry equilibrium always results in higher prices, lower load factors, and greater frequency than are socially optimal.
Immunoscore encompassing CD3+ and CD8+ T cell densities in distant metastasis is a robust prognostic marker for advanced colorectal cancer

Background The immunoscore (IS), an index based on the density of CD3+ and CD8+ tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs) in the tumor center (CT) and invasive margin (IM), has gained considerable attention as a prognostic marker. Tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs) have also been reported to have prognostic value. However, its clinical significance has not been fully clarified in patients with advanced CRC who present with distant metastases. Methods The density of CD3+, CD4+, CD8+, FOXP3+, CD68+, and CD163+ immune cells within CRC tissue procured from three sites–the primary CT, IM, and distant metastasis (DM)–was determined using immunohistochemistry and digital image analyzer (n=196). The IS was obtained by quantifying the densities of CD3+ and CD8+ TILs in the CT and IM. IS-metastatic and IS-macrophage–additional IS models designed in this study–were obtained by adding the score of CD3 and CD8 in DM and the score of CD163 in primary tumors (CT and IM), respectively, to the IS. Result Higher IS, IS-metastatic, and IS-macrophage values were significantly correlated with better prognosis (p=0.020, p≤0.001, and p=0.005, respectively). Multivariate analysis revealed that only IS-metastatic was an independent prognostic marker (p=0.012). No significant correlation was observed between KRAS mutation and three IS models. However, in the subgroup analysis, IS-metastatic showed a prognostic association regardless of the KRAS mutational status. Conclusion IS is a reproducible method for predicting the survival of patients with advanced CRC. Additionally, an IS including the CD3+ and CD8+ TIL densities at DM could be a strong prognostic marker for advanced CRC.
Diffusion-Weighted MR Imaging in Japanese Encephalitis

Objective: This study was performed to evaluate the role of diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) in the diagnosis of Japanese encephalitis (JE) and to look for any relationship of the apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) values with duration of the illness. Methods: We performed DWI in fourteen patients of JE. T2 weighted (T2W) and DWI were compared for number and location of lesions in all patients. Based on imaging patients were divided in three groups: group 1 (n = 9) showing more lesions on DWI compared with T2W images, group 2 (n = 3) with equal number of lesions on T2W and DWI and group 3 (n = 2) with lesions more pronounced on T2W than DWI. ADC values were computed for all the lesions. The time interval between onset of neurologic signs/symptoms and MRI were charted and correlated with ADC values. Results: DWI was helpful in making early diagnosis of JE by showing characteristic involvement of bilateral thalami in four patients. Nine out of fourteen patients showed additional lesions on DWI. ADC from lesions in groups I, II and III measured 0.648 ± 0.099 × 10−3 mm2/s, 0.739 ± 0.166 × 10−3 mm2/s and 1.123 ± 0.185 × 10−3 mm2/s respectively. The ADC from the lesions in group 1 was significantly lower compared with group 2 (P value <0.05) while it was higher in group 3 lesions compared with the other two groups. There was a significant direct correlation of ADC values with the disease duration in these cases (r = 0.847, P < 0.01). Conclusions: DWI is helpful in early diagnosis and characterization of the duration of the lesions in JE.
Business Management Reform in the Defense Department of in Anticipation of Declining Budgets

Business management reform efforts have been part of the U.S. Defense Department agenda for decades. Current reform efforts have explicitly established the goal of generating, harvesting, and reinvesting savings from business management reform to buy more capital items; that is, they have focused on a measurable reallocation from operating and support costs to investment within a given budget top line. Recent increases in the defense top line, largely related to the war on terrorism, are not likely to persist; in addition, an examination of the factors affecting the top line suggests that a decline in the near term is likely. An examination of current and past defense management reforms suggests that efficiency-seeking business management reforms are not likely to generate sufficient resources to cover a budget decline. Instead, management reform should be sustained for reasons of stewardship and accountability.
The Taylor Principles

We use tests for structural change to identify periods of low, positive, and negative Taylor rule deviations, the difference between the federal funds rate and the rate prescribed by the original Taylor rule. The tests define four monetary policy eras: a negative deviations era during the Great Inflation from 1965 to 1979, a positive deviations era during the Volcker disinflation from 1979 to 1987, a low deviations era during the Great Moderation from 1987 to 2000, and another negative deviations era from 2001 to 2014. We then estimate Taylor rules for the different eras. The most important violations of the Taylor principles, the four elements that comprise the Taylor rule, are that the coefficient on inflation was too low during the Great Inflation and that the coefficient on the output gap was too low during the Volcker disinflation. We then analyze deviations from several alterations of the original Taylor rule, which identify a negative deviations era from 2000 to 2007 and a low deviations era from 2007 to 2014. Between 2000 and 2007, Fed policy cannot be explained by any variant of the Taylor rule while, between 2007 and 2014, Fed policy is consistent with a rule where the federal funds rate does not respond at all to inflation and either responds very strongly to the output gap or incorporates a time-varying equilibrium real interest rate.
Agricultural Land Markets and Soil Erosion: Policy Relevance and Conceptual Issues

Farmland values dwarf all other asset values in agricultural production. Therefore, understanding the formation and roles of farmland prices should command high research priority. While we have seen some clarification of the pricing of farmland through time from an aggregate perspective, other questions remain enigmas. One is the relationship among land prices, soil erosion, and conservation investments. Understanding that relationship is critical to designing effective public soil conservation policy. In the past, the notion that the farmland market was generally not sensitive to varying erosion conditions was seemingly endorsed without systematic data analysis. Miranowski and Hammes note the paucity of good empirical evidence for testing the effect of erosion on farmland prices. Two probable reasons for this lack of empirical study are worth citing. First, the legitimacy of public soil conservation assistance programs was not challenged then, unlike the present. Thus, there was not a compelling social need to understand whether farmland markets were transmitting "proper" signals to landowners with regard to erosion's effects. Second, thorough and rigorous empirical tests of the relationship between land prices and erosion or conservation conditions are painstakingly detailed work fraught with many conceptual and measurement complications. This paper has three sections. In the first, the policy context surrounding land prices and soil erosion is discussed. We then report some empirical work on the erosion-land price question with emphasis on specification issues surrounding an implicit price model. Implications for soil conservation policy and further research close the discussion.
Reconfigurable bandpass filter structure using an SPDT MEMS switch

A concept for a bandpass reconfigurable filter structure capable of operating a two different passbands is presented. The circuit consists of two edge-coupled-line bandpass filters and a single-pole double throw MEMS switch. The incident signal enters a three-conductor set of coupled lines which feeds the two bandpass filters. The switch selects between the outputs of the two filters and thus a reconfigurable system is obtained. The switch used uses a magnetic actuation system and requires a voltage pulse of less than 4.0 V and consumes a peak transient current of 49 mA. The quiescent current consumption is 0 mA. The two passbands of the system presented here are at 1.8 GHz and 2.2 GHz. The rejection between the bands is about 20 dB. Much better rejection is possible by improving the isolation characteristic of the switch.
Factors Associated with Completed Suicide in Borderline Personality Disorder

Fifteen patients with a diagnosis of borderline personality disorder (BPD) who had committed suicide while under inpatient care or within a month after discharge were compared with a group of 13 inpatients with a diagnosis of BPD who did not kill themselves. Suicides occurred in all ages from 20 to 49 years. Age, sex, and age when first in contact with psychiatry did not differ between groups. DIB profiles differed only with respect to slightly higher scores on the affect section among patients who committed suicide. Axis I affective disorders were equally frequent. The patients who committed suicide had been more often hospitalized and they had made more suicide attempts in their lifetime. Male patients who killed themselves showed a more extensive suicidal behavior at admission than did their matched control subjects. Earlier suicide attempts during inpatient treatment were only identified among the patients who committed suicide. An imminent mandatory discharge preceded the inpatient suicides in five of 11 cases.
Improving the Effectiveness of Searching for Isomorphic Chains in Superword Level Parallelism

Most high-performance microprocessors come equipped with general purpose Single Instruction Multiple Data (SIMD) execution engines to enhance performance. Compilers use auto-vectorization techniques to identify vector parallelism and generate SIMD code so that applications can enjoy the performance benefits provided by SIMD units. Superword Level Parallelism (SLP), one such vectorization technique, forms vector operations by merging isomorphic instructions into a vector operation and linking many such operations into long isomorphic chains. However, effective grouping of isomorphic instructions remains a key challenge for SLP algorithms. In this work, we describe a new hierarchical approach for SLP. We decouple the selection of isomorphic chains and arrange them in a hierarchy of choices at the local and global levels. First, we form small local chains from a set of preferred patterns and rank them. Next, we form long global chains from the local chains using a few simple heuristics. Hierarchy allows us to balance the grouping choices of individual instructions more effectively within the context of larger local and global chains, thereby finding better opportunities for vectorization. We implement our algorithm in LLVM, and we compare it against prior work and the current SLP implementation in LLVM. A set of applications that benefit from vectorization are taken from the NAS Parallel Benchmarks and SPEC CPU 2006 suite to compare our approach and prior techniques. We demonstrate that our new algorithm finds better isomorphic chains. Our new approach achieves an 8.6% speedup, on average, compared to non-vectorized code and 2.5% speedup, on average, over LLVM-SLP. In the best case, the BT application has 11% fewer total dynamic instructions and achieves a 10.9% speedup over LLVM-SLP. CCS CONCEPTS • Computer systems organization $\rightarrow$ Single instruction, multiple data; • Software and its engineering $\rightarrow$ Compilers; Source code generation;
Hematogenous osteomyelitis caused by Streptococcus anginosus group in a previously healthy child

Osteomyelitis is an important disease in children because of the risk of developing permanent disability. Staphylococcus aureus (89%) and the group A streptococci are the two major pathogens responsible for osteomyelitis in immunocompetent children. Musculoskeletal infections caused by Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib) have decreased considerably in recent years because of widespread immunization of infants against Hib. Other bacterial pathogens rarely cause osteomyelitis in immunocompetent children, especially in circumstances without any predisposing risk factors. Viridans streptococci are known as organisms with low virulence. However, the Streptococcus anginosus group (SAG) is characterized by a propensity to form abscesses. Members of the SAG are found in the human respiratory tract, the gastrointestinal tract, and the female genitourinary tract as normal flora. The SAG has often been associated with dental caries, endocarditis, abdominal abscess, or brain abscess. Bacteremia caused by the SAG is often associated with an identifiable source of infection, profound neutropenia, or abdominal surgery. Herein, we report a case of hematogenous osteomyelitis of the femur caused by the SAG in a previously healthy 10-year-old boy without any risk factors. To our knowledge, this is the first report of the SAG osteomyelitis developed in an otherwise healthy child.
Formalizing MongoDB Queries

In this paper, we report on our ongoing work in which we formalize MongoDB, a widely adopted document database system managing complex (tree structured) values represented in a JSON-based data model, equipped with a powerful query mechanism. We study the expressiveness of the MongoDB query language, showing its equivalence with nested relational algebra, and we investigate the computational complexity of significant fragments of it.
Comparing LR, GP, BPN, RBF and SVR for Self-Learning Pattern Matching in WSN Indoor Localization

It is a challenging issue to apply WSN (Wireless Sensor Network) to achieve accurate location information. PM (Pattern Matching), known as one of the most famous localization methods, has the drawback of requiring high initialization effort to predict/train MF (Matching Function). In this paper, the authors propose SPM (Self-learning PM) to improve not only the localization accuracy but also the initialization effort of PM. SPM applies a divide-and-conquer self-learning scheme to reduce the number of training patterns in training. Additionally, it introduces a Bayesian filtering scheme to remove the noise signal caused by multipath effects so as to enhance localization accuracy accordingly. This paper applies different training methods (linear regression, Gaussian process, backpropagation network, radial basis function, and support vector regression) to evaluate the performances of SPM and PM in a complicated indoor environment. Experiments show that SPM is better than PM for all training methods applied. SPM can use up to 72% fewer training patterns than PM to achieve the same localization accuracy. If the same number of training patterns is utilized, SPM can achieve up to 58% higher localization accuracy than PM.
Recombinant hormones in osteoporosis

Introduction: For the last 10 years, bone anabolic therapy with the recombinant human parathyroid hormone (rhPTH) analogue, teriparatide (rhPTH[1 – 34]), or full-length rhPTH(1 – 84) has been an option in the treatment of osteoporosis. Both drugs are given as a daily subcutaneous injection. In the USA, only teriparatide is marketed. Areas covered: Mechanisms of action by which rhPTH induces bone anabolic effects includes changes in bone remodeling, geometry and mineral density. Data from randomized controlled trials on anti-fracture efficacy are reviewed as well as results from a number of recent studies on administration less than once-a-day or intermittent-/cyclic-therapy. Treatment effects are compared with those of anti-resorptive agents. Expert opinion: In terms of anti-fracture efficacy, treatment with rhPTH is not superior to treatment with potent anti-resorptive agents. However, while the process by which osteoporosis emerges is arrested in response to anti-resorptives, rhPTH acts as a bone anabolic with reversal of the process. Although this mechanism of action seems favorable, the use of rhPTH is limited by a much higher cost than that of anti-resorptive agents. As long as a superior anti-fracture efficacy has not been proven, rhPTH should be confined to patients with severe spinal osteoporosis, including patients in whom treatment with an anti-resorptive has failed.
AKT/mTOR Pathway Activation and BCL-2 Family Proteins Modulate the Sensitivity of Human Small Cell Lung Cancer Cells to RAD001

Purpose: The Akt/mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) pathway is frequently activated in human cancers and plays an important role in small cell lung cancer (SCLC) biology. We investigated the potential of targeting mTOR signaling as a novel antitumor approach in SCLC. Experimental Design: The expression of mTOR in patient specimens and in a panel of SCLC cell lines was analyzed. The effects on SCLC cell survival and downstream signaling were determined following mTOR inhibition by the rapamycin derivative RAD001 (Everolimus) or down-regulation by small interfering RNA. Results: We found elevated expression of mTOR in patient specimens and SCLC cell lines, compared with normal lung tissue and normal lung epithelial cells. RAD001 treatment impaired basal and growth factor–stimulated cell growth in a panel of SCLC cell lines. Cells with increased Akt pathway activation were more sensitive to RAD001. Accordingly, a constitutive activation of the Akt/mTOR pathway was sufficient to sensitize resistant SCLC cells to the cytotoxic effect of RAD001. In the sensitive cells, RAD001 showed a strong additive effect to the proapoptotic action of the chemotherapeutic agent etoposide. Intriguingly, we observed low Bcl-2 family proteins levels in the SCLC cells with a constitutive Akt pathway activation, whereas an increased expression was detected in the RAD001-resistant SCLC cells. An antisense construct targeting Bcl-2 or a Bcl-2–specific inhibitor was able to sensitize resistant SCLC cells to RAD001. Moreover, SCLC tumor growth in vivo was significantly inhibited by RAD001. Conclusion: Together, our data show that inhibiting mTOR signaling with RAD001 potently disrupts growth and survival signaling in human SCLC cells.
Tyrosine kinase inhibitors in the treatment of unresectable or metastatic gastrointestinal stromal tumors

Introduction: Gastrointestinal stromal tumor (GIST) is the most common sarcoma of the gastrointestinal tract. Proliferation of GIST is driven by activating mutations in the KIT or PDGFRA genes that found in most sporadic GISTs. Surgery is the main remedial measure for primary GIST, and imatinib is the principal therapeutic of choice for unresectable or metastatic GIST. Imatinib revolutionized treatment for unresectable or metastatic GISTs; however, resistance to imatinib has inevitably developed for most GIST patients. Areas covered: PubMed was searched to find biological studies of GIST and clinical trials of molecularly targeted agents on unresectable or metastatic GISTs, and the key papers found have been reviewed. In this paper, the standard therapy which includes imatinib, sunitinib and regorafenib for unresectable or metastatic GIST has been reviewed and molecular mechanisms of resistance for tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) have been postulated and discussed. Treatment measures for resistant GIST and therapeutic choices after the standard therapy have also been described. Expert opinion: The standard therapy for unresectable or metastatic GISTs is first-line imatinib, second-line sunitinib and third-line regorafenib. After standard therapy, best supportive care or clinical trials is recommended in the guidelines. However, patients may benefit from continuation of TKIs beyond disease progression and from rechallenge of TKIs used previously.
Increased Pulmonary Venous Resistance Contributes to Increased Pulmonary Artery Diastolic–Pulmonary Wedge Pressure Gradient in Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome

Background:Pulmonary artery diastolic (PAD)–pulmonary wedge pressure (PWP) gradient has been shown to be increased in sepsis and acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). Because pulmonary venous vasoconstriction induced by endotoxemia in sepsis or postcapillary leukocyte aggregation in ARDS or both can increase pulmonary venous resistance (Rpv), it is possible that the elevated Rpv increases PAD-PWP. The authors examined this possibility by assessing the correlation between Rpv and PAD-PWP gradient in patients with ARDS. Methods:Included were 20 patients with ARDS who required surgical procedures during general anesthesia. Rpv was calculated as the difference between mean pulmonary artery (PA) output pressure and PWP divided by cardiac index. Mean PA output pressure was computed from harmonic form of the recorded PA pressure by applying an attenuating factor to its phasic components, for which Fourier analysis was used. Total pulmonary vascular resistance (TPVR) was calculated as the difference between mean PA input pressure and PWP divided by cardiac index. To avoid the effect of PA resistance on TPVR and Rpv, the relative pulmonary venous resistance (Rpv/TPVR) was used. Results:There was a good correlation between Rpv/TPVR and PAD-PWP gradient (R2 = 0.698, P < 0.0001). When patients were classified into two groups based on PAD-PWP gradient, the Rpv/TPVR was 0.66 ± 0.06 in the group with a PAD-PWP gradient of 6 mmHg or greater and 0.46 ± 0.08 in the other group (P < 0.0001). Conclusion:A strong correlation between Rpv/TPVR and PAD-PWP gradient suggests that the increased Rpv contributes to increased PAD-PWP gradient in patients with ARDS.
Partial query optimization techniques for partitioned tables

With the emerging of large database and the explosion of mass data, people need to extract useful information, knowledge from huge database, and to improve the utilization rate of the information further. Partitioning technologies allows users to divisive a big table into some smaller and can manage partitions easier, so it can solve some of the problems of mass data. This paper discussed the Partial-MAX/MIN query optimization for the partitioned tables. We introduce the Rank Bisection Partition Tree (RBP-T) structure to improving the efficiency of this class of query. The experimental results show that our method to solve the Partial-MAX/MIN query in the mass data cases is effective.
Degree of Openness and Performance in the Search for Innovation

External knowledge has been the object of increasing attention in the past few years, corresponding to the rise in company innovation models that are based on a higher degree of openness towards external actors. This study investigates the practices that firms adopt in searching for external knowledge to innovate their products, exploring the relationships between performance of innovation processes and the breadth and depth of search practices. In so doing, we explore the role of openness through the lens of search practices, rather than examining the variety of external actors from which firms draw relevant knowledge for product innovation.