Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Dynamic Pricing of Relocating Resources in Large Networks

We study dynamic pricing of resources that are distributed over a network of locations (e.g., shared vehicle systems and logistics networks). Customers with private willingness-to-pay sequentially request to relocate a resource from one location to another. We focus on networks with a hub-and-spoke structure. We develop a dynamic pricing policy and a performance bound based on a Lagrangian relaxation. This relaxation decomposes the problem over spokes and is thus far easier to solve than the original problem. We analyze the performance of the Lagrangian-based policy and focus on a large network regime in which the number of spokes (n) and number of resources grow at the same rate. We show that our policy loses no more than O (p lnn/n) in performance compared to an optimal policy, thus implying asymptotic optimality as n grows large. We provide examples that show that upper bounds and static policies based on fluid relaxations fail to work well in this asymptotic regime. Finally, we discuss how our approach extends to more general networks involving multiple, interconnected hubs.
Effects of paper aged states on the space charge behavior in oil-paper insulation

Oil-paper insulation has been widely used in power transformers for quite a long time because of its good performance. The paper degrades under the combined stresses of thermal, electrical, and chemical stresses during routine operations, reducing the degree of polymerization (DP) of paper and with it, the mechanical and electrical strength. Space charge in dielectric materials has a close relation to the electrical performance of a material. Therefore, in this work, the effect of paper aged states, i.e. different DP values, on the space charge behavior in oil impregnated paper insulation is investigated and the Pulsed Electro-Acoustic (PEA) method is used for the space charge distribution measurement. In order to achieve this purpose, all paper samples are impregnated by filtered, degassed and dried new transformer oil and all PEA measurements are performed at the same temperature. The experimental results show that, when the external DC voltage is applied on the oil-paper sample, homo-charge injection occurs for all samples. The samples with different aging states exhibit quite different space charge characteristics for both voltage-on and voltage-off condition. With the aged states more serious, higher maximum charge density peak value exists in both cathode and anode vicinity for voltage-on condition. In contrary, it exhibits lower maximum charge density peak value for voltage-off condition. It also indicates that the charge injection phenomenon is more obvious in aged oil-paper sample. For voltage-off condition, aged oil-paper sample is beneficial to the space charge decay.
Electromagnetic field modeling through the use of dirac matrices and geometric algebra

The basis for engineering electromagnetic computations still rely on Gibbs' vector algebra. It is well known that Clifford algebra (geometric algebra) presents several enhancement on the latter. By taking advantage that in the three-dimensional space Clifford algebra is isomorphic to Pauli algebra it is possible to describe all the relevant vector operations occurring in electromagnetic theory in terms of Pauli matrices. In particular it is possible to write Maxwell's equations in a form similar to the Dirac equation. In this way, instead of having six coupled equations from the curls operators, we can deal with just four linear equations. The latter can be further simplified to just two sets of two linear equations by the Weyl decomposition.
Performance evaluation of location-based advertising using Web Application Performance Testing (WAPT) in digital marketing

— Marketers around the globe are certain of location-based advertising which is the most exciting(cid:2) mobile marketing for 2016, according to a recent Internet Advertising Bureau (IAB) UK [1] study cited by digital marketing stats round-up. Location-based advertising technology can help the customers understand the classified ads, location – based advertising web forums and customer’s behavior. On the other hand this technology develops a new approach to individual advertisements-oriented websites design and implementation. Moreover the technology can also be beneficial to the classified ads websites niche market research, particularly in order to understand the main competitive characteristics and current market situation. The research outcomes can provide recommendations on how to evaluate and increase the performance or access time of the location-based advertising technology(cid:2) compare to traditional classified ads technology. For the purpose of the performance evaluation, the LoadComplete framework [2] based on Selenium Web-Driver API is employed. Performance metrics are then collected using WAPT simulation [3]. Location-based advertising achieves better results by reducing item-search time to half compare to the legacy ads. It helps to save network bandwidth as well as beneficial to a faster-improving mobile marketing turn-around time.
Is radioiodine therapy conducted too late in patients suffering from thyroid autonomy?

Summary Aim: The effectiveness of radioiodine therapy (RIT) is proven. The aim of this study was to determine, how much time passes between diagnosis of thyroid autonomy or occurrence of functional and/or local symptoms on one hand and RIT on the other hand. Patients, methods: This retrospective study comprises 196 patients, who were treated with radioiodine for thyroid autonomy between 2002 and 2005. Evaluated parameters are begin of functional and/ or local symptoms, first scintigraphy with relevant Tc-Uptake as time point of primary diagnosis of thyroid autonomy and time point of implementation of RIT. Results: Between first scintigraphy with relevant Tc-Uptake and implementation of RIT 0–72 months passed (median: 3 months). 160 patients (81.6%) had a prior diagnosis of goitre by their general practitioner and 163 patients (83.3%) had a prior diagnosis of TSH suppression. The time period between first recommendation of RIT and implementation of RIT was 0–89 months (median: 2 months). In 142 patients (71.4%) functional and/or local symptoms were present over 73 months (median; range: 0–180 months) before the first scintigraphy with therapy relevant Tc-Uptake was conducted. Conclusion: Despite clear recommendations in corresponding guidelines too much time passes between first symptoms (median: 73 months), primary diagnosis of therapy relevant thyroid autonomy (median: 2 months) and implementation of RIT. Patients with functional and/or local symptoms should be examined for thyroid autonomy early. If thyroid autonomy is proven, RIT should be planned immediately, especially in high-risk patients.
Advanced oxidation protein products inhibit differentiation and activate inflammation in 3T3‐L1 preadipocytes

Accumulation of advanced oxidation protein products (AOPPs) is prevalent in metabolic syndromes, a condition with impaired preadipocytes differentiation. In the present study, we tested the hypothesis that AOPPs disturb preadipocyte differentiation. Exposure of 3T3‐L1 preadipocytes to increased levels of AOPPs inhibited accumulation of intracellular triglyceride and decreased the expression of the essential markers of matured adipocytes, such as adipocyte fatty‐acid‐binding protein (aP2), CAAT/enhancer‐binding protein (C/EBP)‐α, and peroxisome proliferator‐activated receptor (PPAR)‐γ, in response to standard adipogenic induction. Inhibitory effects of AOPPs on preadipocytes differentiation was time sensitive, which occurred at the early stage of differentiation. In the presence of AOPPs, induction of preadipocytes differentiation resulted in upregulated expression of C/EBP homologous protein (CHOP) and CUG‐Triplet repeat‐binding protein (CUGBP), two important inhibitors of preadipocytes differentiation. In addition, treatment with AOPPs increased abundance of C/EBP‐β‐liver enriched inhibitory protein (C/EBP‐β‐LIP), a truncated C/EBP‐β isoform without adipogenic activity. Moreover, AOPPs‐treated preadipocytes expressed a macrophage marker F4/80 and overexpressed tumor necrosis factor‐α and interleukin‐6 via nuclear factor‐κB (NF‐κB)‐dependent pathway. However, blocking inflammation with NF‐κB inhibitor failed to improve AOPPs‐induced inhibition of preadipocytes differentiation. These data suggest that accumulation of AOPPs may inhibit differentiation of preadipocytes and activate inflammation in these cells. This information might have implication for understanding the impairment of preadipocytes differentiation and fat inflammation seen in metabolic syndrome. J. Cell. Physiol. 225: 42–51, 2010. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Enhanced resolution of membranes in cultured cells by cryoimmobilization and freeze‐substitution

Investigations of cellular processes demand immediate arresting of the process at any given time and excellent retention of cellular material and excellent visibility of membranes. To achieve this goal we used cryofixation to arrest cellular processes instantly and tested diverse freeze‐substitution protocols. Madin‐Darby kidney cells and Vero cells were grown on carbon‐coated sapphire disks. For cryofixation the sapphire disks covered with a cell monolayer were injected with the aid of a guillotine into liquid propane or ethane or a mixture of both cooled by liquid nitrogen. Freezing of the cryogen was prevented by using a partially insulated cylinder and by vigorous stirring that results in a substantial decrement of the freezing point of the cryogen. Cell monolayers can be cryofixed successfully using the guillotine in a safety hood at ambient temperature and humidity or at 37°C and 45% humidity. The freezing unit can also be placed in a laminar flow for working under biohazard conditions. For visualizing cell membranes at high contrast and high resolution, cells were substituted in the presence of various concentrations of glutaraldehyde and osmium tetroxide and the temperature was raised to diverse final temperatures. Substitution for 4 hours at −90°C in anhydrous acetone containing 0.25% anhydrous glutaraldehyde and 0.5% osmium tetroxide followed by a temperature rise of 5°C/hour to 0°C and final incubation for 1 hour at 0°C resulted in high contrast and excellent visibility of subcellular components at the level of the membrane bilayer. The high spatial and temporal resolution makes this methodology an excellent tool for studying cell membrane‐bound processes, such as virus‐cell interactions. Microsc. Res. Tech. 53:313–321, 2001. © 2001 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
A Digital Revolution in International Trade? The International Legal Framework for Blockchain Technologies, Virtual Currencies and Smart Contracts: Challenges and Opportunities

This work investigates the legal dimension of the ongoing “blockchain revolution”. In particular, it tries to understand to what extent this potentially breakthrough technology also implies a legal revolution: do blockchain technologies, virtual currencies and smart contracts require new legal avenues to be developed, or is it instead appropriate to simply adapt existing legal categories to the new reality? In either case, how are and should they be regulated? A specific object of inquiry in this regard is the role of Uncitral and its potentially crucial contribution it can provide to the creation of a worldwide legal environment that is suitable for the development of blockchain-based applications, contracts, businesses, and so forth. After drawing a background picture of how such innovations could revolutionize the world of international trade (B.), the article gives an overview of the state of the art of the legal context in which they have currently been framed (C.), then moving on to focus on the specific issue of how Uncitral could helpfully intervene in their development (D.). Finally, some conclusive remarks are offered (E.). Before starting the actual analysis, though, I believe it is necessary to devote some space to defining the most relevant notions used in this work, i.e. virtual currencies, Blockchain and distributed ledger technology, and (decentralized) smart contracts.
Long-term reduction of plasma homocysteine levels by super-flux dialyzers in hemodialysis patients.

BACKGROUND Hyperhomocysteinemia is an independent risk factor for cardiovascular disease in chronic hemodialysis (CHD) patients. Treatment with folic acid normalizes total homocysteine (tHcy) in only a minority of the patients. The present investigation has been conducted to study the influence of various dialyzers with different flux characteristics on the reduction of tHcy in the long term. METHODS Total Hcy, folate, vitamin B6, vitamin B12, and albumin levels were assessed prospectively in 10 patients undergoing HD with high-flux polysulfon (PS; F 60) and 20 patients with super-flux dialyzers (N = 10 PS, F 500S; N = 10 CTA, Tricea 150G). Blood samples were collected before hemodialysis both at the beginning of the study and after 12 weeks. RESULTS At baseline, all the groups showed similar tHcy levels. During high-flux dialysis, tHcy remained stable. In contrast, during dialysis with both super-flux modalities, tHcy decreased significantly (F 500S week 1, 29.6 +/- 9.9 micromol/L, and week 12, 21.5 +/- 8.5 micromol/L, P = 0.007; Tricea 150G week 1, 24.4 +/- 8.7 micromol/L, and week 12, 15.3 +/- 3.7 micromol/L, P = 0.008). The difference between high-flux and super-flux dialyzers was highly significant (mean: high-flux increase 15.6%, super-flux decrease 33. 3%, P = 0.001). Multivariate analysis showed a significant effect of super-flux dialysis on tHcy (P = 0.001), independently of the previously mentioned variables. CONCLUSIONS Our findings clearly show that both types of super-flux dialyzers reduced tHcy significantly. As the molecular weight of free homocysteine is less than 268 D, the most likely explanation seems to be the removal of uremic toxins with inhibitory activities against enzymes involved in the extrarenal homocysteine metabolism.
Small cerebellar cortex volume in patients with active Cushing's syndrome.

OBJECTIVE Cushing's syndrome (CS) is associated with neuropsychological deficits. As the cerebellum plays a key role in neuropsychological functions it may be affected in CS. The aim of this study was to investigate whether patients with CS have a smaller cerebellar volume than healthy controls, and to analyse whether cerebellar volume is associated with neuropsychological performance and clinical parameters. DESIGN A cross-sectional study was performed. METHODS Thirty-six CS patients (15 with active CS and 21 with CS in remission) and 36 controls matched for age, sex, and education underwent neuropsychological testing, quality of life assessment, clinical evaluation, and magnetic resonance imaging brain scan. Cerebellar volumes (white matter and cortex, bilateral) were calculated using FreeSurfer Software. RESULTS Patients with active CS showed smaller bilateral cerebellar cortex volumes than controls (left, P=0.035 and right, P=0.034), as well as a trend toward smaller right cerebellar cortex volumes than patients in remission CS (P=0.051). No differences were observed in the volume of cerebellar white matter between the three groups. Both right and left cerebellar cortex volumes correlated negatively with triglyceride levels (right: r=-0.358, P=0.002 and left: r=-0.317, P=0.005) and age at diagnosis (right: r=-0.433, P=0.008 and left: r=-0.457, P=0.005). Left cerebellar cortex volume also correlated positively with visual memory performance (r=0.245, P=0.038). Right cerebellar cortex volume positively correlated with quality-of-life scores (r=0.468, P=0.004). CONCLUSIONS The cerebellar cortex volume is smaller in active CS patients than in controls. This finding is associated with poor visual memory and quality of life and is mostly pronounced in patients with higher triglyceride levels and older age at diagnosis.
Heterogeneities in water contact patterns and the epidemiology of schistosoma haematobium

Variations in the amount of water contact made by individuals and in the amount of water contact made at different sites may have significant impacts on patterns of human schistosome infection. Previous studies have reported variations in the rate of water contact and differences in the sites used between age/sex classes, but there is limited information on variations in individual water contact behaviour. In this paper we report and analyse observations of essentially all water contacts made over a two week period by all individuals in a rural community in eastern Zimbabwe. The mean rate of water contact was 0.43 contacts/person/day. These data were over-dispersed, ranging from zero to 3.3 contacts/person/day; 90% of contacts were made by only 37% of the population. Contact rates were related to age (highest in 8 to 10-year-olds) but not sex, with substantial variation unaccounted for by these variables. Age and sex classes differed in types of water-related activities and the time of day of contact. A greater diversity of sites was used by children than by adults and by males than by females. Individual contact rates were correlated with intensities of infection, although the risk of infection per contact was estimated to be highest in 2 to 4-year-old children and higher for males than females. Five contact sites were used during the study period, with more than 50% of contacts occurring at just 2 sites. Different age and sex classes used different sites and there were additional site-related differences in types of activity and the time of day of use. The implications of these water contact patterns for schistosome epidemiology are discussed. In particular the results provide strong quantitative support for control programmes aimed at heavily used sites (e.g. focal mollusciciding) or at the minority of individuals making most water contacts (e.g. targeted chemotherapy).
Intellectual Property Rights and International Trade of Agricultural Products

The signing of the agreement on Trade-Related Aspects on Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPS) had led to a process of global harmonization and tightening of intellectual property rights (IPRs) systems. As part of this process, the use of IPRs in agriculture has been increasing in the last decades. This paper studies the effect of intellectual property rights on agricultural trade, for the post-TRIPS period (1995–2011), using a new yearly index of IPRs, for 60 developed and developing countries. We study the effect of stronger IPRs on total trade, bilateral trade, and trade margins using different econometric techniques. We found that the strengthening of IPRs has been having a negative and uneven effect on agricultural trade at different levels of disaggregation. The gravity estimation showed that both the IPRs of the importer and the exporter have negative effects on total bilateral trade and that the probability of creating new bilateral trade links increases with the importer’s IPRs. Finally, we found that stronger IPRs have a negative effect on the intensive margin of trade and a positive impact on the extensive margin. Overall, the evidence shows that agricultural trade related to the developing world has been more negatively affected, which calls the attention to the idea that a common system can equally work for all countries.
Ist die Modellbildung in der Geodäsie hinreichend zukunftstauglich

Drei Tendenzen erscheinen fur die moderne Geodasie charakteristisch zu sein: 1) die Zahl der hochgenauen Anwendungen nimmt zu, 2) Satellitengeodasie gewinnt dominierenden Einfluss und 3) Echtzeit-Aspekte werden immer wichtiger. Eine Vielzahl von Reduktionen wird notwendig, wobei die dabei gewahlten Modelle oft und in zunehmendem Mase von der Realitat abweichen. Diese Tendenz wird oft bei Interpretationen oder beim Zusammenfassen von unterschiedlichen Daten in Hybridsystemen ignoriert oder nicht hinreichend berucksichtigt. Im folgenden wird als ein Beispiel die Gezeitenreduktion (permanente Gezeiten M(o) und S(o)) herausgegriffen, um die Argumentation zu veranschaulichen.
Estimating the number of subjects needed for a thinking aloud test

Abstract Two studies of using the thinking aloud method for user interface testing showed that experimenters who were not usability specialists could use the method. However, they found only 28-30% of known usability problems when running a single test subject. Running more test subjects increased the number of problems found, but with progressively diminishing returns; after five test subjects 77-85% of the problems had been found.
Social Media for Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises

Social media offers small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) an array of innovative ways to interact with their employees, customers, partners, and other stakeholders (Kim, et al., 2012). Consumers have easy ways of interacting with SMEs and their employees in real time with various social media embedded devices. Managers are realizing that social media affects a wide spectrum of business activities from building product or brand awareness to after-sales services. Investing in social media applications will enhance relationships with customers and provide the opportunity to better understand the customer needs. Therefore, it is crucial for SMEs to assess their social media applications, develop a plan to continually monitor their advancements, and quickly respond to the social media needs of customers. Social media embodies the principles of Web 2.0 (O’Reilly, 2005, 2007) and is continuously evolving. It supports business processes, knowledge management, customer relationship management, and partner relationship management. As social media is tremendously popular among consumers, firms can leverage it to engage in frequent and direct end-consumer contact with broad reach at relatively low cost and achieve higher levels of efficiency and effectiveness (Kaplan & Haenlein, 2010). Despite the lack of a comprehensive framework for the use of social media applications for SMEs, they are already active users of the various social media technologies such as social networking services and blogs. SMEs have been a cornerstone for most countries. SMEs represent 99.7 percent of all U.S. employers, are responsible for about half of the private sector jobs, and generate about half of the private GDP (Small Business Administration, 2006). Despite their importance to the economy, compared to large firms, SMEs face a number of barriers to the adoption of innovations due to limited resources (Lockett & Brown, 2006; MacGregor & Vrazalic, 2007; Al-Qirim, 2006). It is known that many SMEs lack the financial resources and technical skills needed to systemically and strategically utilize new technologies for enhancing their competitiveness (Iacovou et al., 1995). While social media holds the great promise for the competitiveness of SMEs, Zeiller and Schauer (2011) find that top-down adoption strategies based on an initiative by management dominate in the case companies. The main purposes of this chapter are to explore emerging social media applications and to discuss social media applications for SMEs. This study proceeds as follows: Section 2 presents a literature review on social media. Section 3 explores social media applications for SMEs. Section 4 discusses implementation guidelines for social media applications for SMEs. Social Media for Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises