Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
structural estimation on demand with brand choice and quantity adjustment: from non-organic to organic food

I estimate product demand in the vertically differentiated goods market, where consumers choose brand and quantity. I develop a two-stage decision model where consumer chooses both discrete brand and continuous quantity. Using Nielsen Homescan data, I estimate consumer demand in the markets of organic and nonorganic bagged carrots. I modify Dixit-Stiglitz preferences by adding linear combination of brands and preference weights of each brand in order to capture quality-quantity trade-off. In my model, the quantity decision is brand dependent and it is derived from underlying optimization. As Hanemann (1984) points out, optimal discrete choice depends on optimal continuous choice and vice versa. While Hanemann (1984) does not focus on quality-quantity trade-off, my model sheds light on vertically differentiated goods market. I estimate individual demand using maximum likelihood method and conduct counterfactual experiments of price and income changes. The policy experiments are conducted for two scenarios with plausible values of price elasticity of demand. For a 10% drop in prices of organic carrots, for instance, producers of organic carrots can expect 42.9% rise in quantity demanded and 7.8% increase in supplier revenue in organic carrots market. As consumers switch from non-organic to organic carrots in response to price fall for the latter, they could make a downward adjustment in overall quantity demanded of carrots; the total consumption in the carrot markets (organic and non-organic) would fall by 1.8%, with the fall in the supplier revenue by 2.5%. Consumption of carrots depends also on income elasticity of demand. With a 10% increase in household income, our experiments show, consumption of organic carrots would increase 19.7% while that of non-organic carrots would fall 3.1%. With increase in income, the quantity demanded overall in the carrot markets would fall by 1.7% and the supplier revenue by 2.8%. Given our data and the underlying
Simulated work tasks: the case of professional users

This paper investigates simulated work tasks as a tool for information retrieval (IR) evaluation in a work-based, specialized setting. It has been shown that simulated work tasks must be tailored toward the group of study participant to ensure that the depicted situations are realistic and interesting from the participants' point of view [3]. Specifically, we investigate what characterizes an effective simulated work task in a professional government setting and how to design workable tasks for the evaluation of in-house information systems such as a corporate Intranet. The findings reveal that the test participants adopt the tasks. To understand and apply the simulated work tasks, the participants draw on different types of experience and knowledge: Topical, related, structural, and common knowledge. The study also shows that the knowledge types identified are more important for successful retrieval of information than similarity of the simulated work tasks with the participants' daily work tasks.
Chromosome Organization and Heterochromatin Elimination in Parascaris

A cytological analysis by modern banding techniques of gonial metaphases in two Parascaris forms that have been considered varieties but now seem to be two species [P. univalens (karyotype 2n = 2) and P. equorum (karyotype 2n = 4)] reveals a different chromosome organization in each. Parascaris univalens chromosomes contain only terminal heterochromatin, while P. equorum chromosomes also contain intercalary heterochromatin. In the somatic cells of both species during early embryogenesis, chromatin diminution occurs in and consists of the elimination of all heterochromatin independent of its localization in the chromosomes.
Conceptualizing a circular framework of supply chain resource sustainability

In response to calls for conceptual frameworks and generic theory building toward the advancement of sustainability in supply chain resource utilization and management, the purpose of this paper is to advance a circular framework for supply chain resource sustainability (SCRS), and a decision-support methodology for assessing SCRS against the backdrop of five foundational premises (FPs) deduced from the literature on resource sustainability. ,Taking a conceptual theory-building approach, the paper advances a set of SCRS decision-support criteria for each of the theoretical premises advanced, and applies the theory of constraints to illustrate the conceptual and practical applications of the framework in SCRS decision making. ,This study uses recent conceptualizations of supply chains as “complex adaptive systems” to provide a robust and novel frame and a set of decision rules with which to assess the interconnectedness of environmental, economic, and social capital of supply chain resources from pre-production to post-production. ,The paper contributes to theory building in sustainability research, and the SCRS decision framework developed could be applied in tandem with existing quantitative hybrid life-cycle and input-output approaches to facilitate targeted resource sustainability assessments, with implications for research and practice. ,The novel SCRS framework proposed serves as a template for evaluating SCRS and provides a decision-support methodology for assessing SCRS against the five theorized FPs.
Epilepsy, Electroencephalographic Abnormalities, and Regression in Children With Autism

The association of epilepsy and autism is recognized, and it has been reported at a percentage that varies between 8 and 42%, depending on age and diagnostic criteria. One third of autistic children undergo a regression of language and behavior between 2 and 3 years, and epileptiform abnormalities and epilepsy can be concomitant in an undetermined percentage of them. The aim of this study was to investigate the prevalence of epilepsy and paroxysmal abnormalities in a group of children with autism and to determine the percentage of regression course in this group. Forty-six patients with autism (mean age 7.8 ± 2.7 years; 34 boys and 12 girls) were consecutively examined, and clinical evaluation, assessment, and electroencephalographic (EEG) recordings were performed in all of them. Thirty-five percent showed paroxysmal abnormalities and epilepsy, 22% had only paroxysmal abnormalities without seizures, and 13% of the children suffered from epilepsy. Sixty-five percent had a normal EEG. No difference in regression rate was observed between patients with paroxysmal abnormalities and epilepsy and those with a normal EEG and without seizures. In the study group, the prevalence of epilepsy was in the low range of individuals with autism, and different types of epilepsy were observed. Autism with regression was not influenced by paroxysmal abnormalities and epilepsy. (J Child Neurol 2005;20:27—31).
ENTEROTOXIGENIC ESCHERICHIA COLI AND OTHER ENTEROPATHOGENS IN PAEDIATRIC DIARRHOEA IN ADDIS ABABA

ABSTRACT. This study was performed during two weeks among 86 paediatric outpatients of poor socio‐economic background. A control group comprised 60 healthy children. Enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli (ETEC) was the most common diarrhoeal agent isolated (26%). Strains of ETEC producing heat‐labile (LT) only or LT and heatstable (ST) enterotoxin were isolated from 11% each and ETEC producing ST only from 4% of the patients. ETEC was also found not infrequently among controls (10%). ETEC with O‐antigens 78, 6 and 8 were shown to harbour colonization factors. Enterotoxigenic bacteria were found as contaminants in 5 of 24 feeding bottles investigated. Enteropathogenic Escherichia coli (EPEC) and Shigella species were isolated from 8% each and rotavirus from 24% of the patients. Twelve patients infected with ETEC only were compared to 66 patients not infected with ETEC. Patients infected with ETEC had a relatively mild desease and it was not possible by clinical findings to distinguish those patients infected with ETEC, LT and/or ST producing, carrying or not carrying colonization factors from those infected with other agents. This study underlines the need for extended studies of the clinical significance of ETEC infection in developing countries.
Folic acid inhibits dedifferentiation of PDGF-BB-induced vascular smooth muscle cells by suppressing mTOR/P70S6K signaling.

OBJECTIVE Folic acid (FA) supplementation reduces the risk of atherosclerosis and stroke. Phenotypic change from differentiated to dedifferentiated vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) plays an important role in atherosclerosis development; however, the exact mechanisms remain unknown. This study aimed to assess whether FA through mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR)/P70S6K signaling inhibits platelet derived growth factor (PDGF-BB) induced VSMC dedifferentiation. METHODS VSMCs from primary cultures were identified by morphological observation and α-smooth muscle actin (α-SM-actin, α-SMA) immunocytochemistry. Then, VSMCs were induced by PDGF-BB and treated with varying FA concentrations. Rapamycin and MHY-1485 were used to inhibit or activate the mTOR/P70S6K pathway, respectively. Next, MTT, Transwell, and wound healing assays were employed to assess proliferation and migration of VSMCs. In addition, Western blotting was used to evaluate protein levels of α-SMA, calponin, osteopontin, mTOR, p-mTOR, P70S6K and p-P70S6K in VSMCs. RESULTS VSMCs showed phenotypic alteration from differentiated to dedifferentiated cells in response to PDGF-BB. MTT, Transwell and wound healing assays showed that FA markedly inhibited proliferation and migration in PDGF-BB-induced VSMCs, in a time and concentration-dependent manner. FA treatment increased the expression levels of the contractile phenotype marker proteins α-SMA and calponin compared with VSMCs stimulated by PDGF-BB alone. Furthermore, FA significantly suppressed mTOR and P70S6K phosphorylation compared with PDGF-BB alone. Similar to FA, downregulation of mTOR signaling by rapamycin inhibited VSMC dedifferentiation. In contrast, upregulation of mTOR signaling by MHY-1485 reversed the FA-induced inhibition of VSMC dedifferentiation. CONCLUSION Folic acid inhibits dedifferentiation of PDGF-BB-induced VSMCs by suppressing mTOR/P70S6K signaling.
Improving governance in transboundary cooperation in water and climate change adaptation

Climate change adaptation in water management is a water governance issue. While neither climate change nor water respects national borders, adaptation in water management should be treated as a transboundary water governance issue. However, transboundary water management is, in essence, more complex than national water management because the water management regimes usually differ more between countries than within countries. This paper provides 63 lessons learned from almost a decade of cooperation on transboundary climate adaptation in water management under the UNECE Water Convention and puts these into the context of the OECD principles on water governance. It highlights that good water governance entails a variety of activities that are intertwined and cannot be considered stand-alone elements. The paper also shows that this wide variety of actions is needed to develop a climate change adaptation strategy in water management. Each of the lessons learned can be considered concrete actions connected to one or more of the OECD principles, where a range of actions may be needed to fulfil one principle. The paper concludes that developing climate change adaptation measures needs to improve in parallel the water governance system at transboundary scale.
Modeling Spatial Variation in Leukemia Survival Data

In this article we combine ideas from spatial statistics with lifetime data analysis techniques to investigate possible spatial variation in survival of adult acute myeloid leukemia patients in northwest England. Exploratory analysis suggests both clinically and statistically significant variation in survival rates across the region. A multivariate gamma frailty model incorporating spatial dependence is proposed and applied, with results confirming the dependence of hazard on location.
ALTERNATIVAS FINANCIERAS QUE PERMITAN PROYECTOS DE MICROGENERACIÓN DISTRIBUIDOS CON ENERGÍA SOLAR FOTOVOLTAICA

Objetivo: Explorar alternativas financeiras para implantar projetos de geracao de energia fotovoltaica tomando por base a determinacao da Resolucao Normativa n. 482/2012 da Agencia Nacional de Energia Eletrica (Aneel). Esta norma estabelece as condicoes gerais para o acesso de microgeracao e minigeracao conferidas aos sistemas de distribuicao de energia eletrica por meio do metodo de compensacao do produto energetico. Originalidade/lacuna/relevância/implicacoes: O trabalho discute a necessidade de modificacoes regulatorias, maior participacao governamental na concessao de incentivos financeiros e tributarias, alem da criacao de linhas especiais de financiamento para que a tecnologia de energia solar fotovoltaica em geracao distribuida seja financeiramente viavel para os consumidores residenciais. Principais aspectos metodologicos: A analise de investimento em sistemas fotovoltaicos utilizou o metodo de valoracao pelo Valor Presente Liquido (VPL). A pesquisa avaliou dois cenarios de Sistemas Fotovoltaicos Conectados a Rede (SFCR), com diferentes niveis de utilizacao da energia solar por um consumidor residencial. Sintese dos principais resultados: Os resultados indicam baixa viabilidade financeira na implantacao de projetos de microgeracao distribuida, sugerindo a necessidade de exclusao da carga tributaria e a reducao dos custos de financiamento. Principais consideracoes/conclusoes: O estudo demonstra a necessidade de flexibilizacao do modelo regulatorio do Brasil, com modificacoes que possibilitem a expansao da oferta de energias renovaveis, com efeitos economicos positivos para a modicidade tarifaria. Os beneficios tarifarios oriundos da microgeracao distribuida podem refletir de forma positiva para o consumidor cativo, desde que os riscos de investimentos sejam reduzidos.
Effect of Alpinia galanga extract on cartilage degradation and on gene expression in human chondrocyte and synovial fibroblast metabolism

We investigated the effects of A. galanga extract on metabolism and gene expression involved in the interleukin-1β (IL-1β) response of human chondrocyte and synovial fibroblast. A. galanga extract inhibited IL-1β enhanced matrix breakdown of the cartilage explants in a dose-dependent manner. It suppressed uronic acid loss from the tissue and decreased the release of sulfated GAG and hyaluronan into the medium. MMP-2 and MMP-9 activity in the culture medium of chondrosarcomas and synovial fibroblasts were significantly reduced in the presence of A. galanga extract, which also suppressed the production of MMP-1,-3 and-13. The A. galanga extract also significantly increased type II collagen, SOX9 and aggrecan gene expression, suggesting an ability to enhance anabolic activity. At a high dose of A. galanga extract there was a down-regulation of aggrecan gene expression. Comparison with Diacerein® showed its general anti-inflammatory potential to be similar. The A. galanga extract was shown to inhibit IL-1β-stimulated cartilage matrix degradation in both systems. Additionally, the extract showed the potential to up-regulate certain chondrocyte anabolic genes. It may, therefore, offer some cartilage protective and anti-inflammatory properties as a therapeutic agent in arthritis.
The nexus of white collar crimes: shadow economy, corruption and uninsured motorists

ABSTRACT This article empirically examines the nexus of three white collar crimes: shadow economy, corruption and uninsured motorists. Whereas the shadow economy–corruption linkage has been studied, the linkages with uninsured motorists have not been formally studied. Results, based on US data and accounting for possible bidirectional causalities, show complementarity between shadow economy and corruption and between uninsured motorists and the shadow economy. The magnitude of the impact of uninsured motorists on the shadow economy is greater than that of corruption. In other findings, shadow economy was lower in most prosperous states and in states that did not impose a sales tax.
The 3-S typology of South African culinary festival visitors

Purpose This paper aims to identify and cluster visitors to a premier South African cheese festival based on their motivation for attending the festival. Design/methodology/approach A structured questionnaire was used to collect the data from visitors over the three days of the festival, in which 519 usable questionnaires were included in the analysis. Three stages of the analysis were employed: a factor analysis examining the visitors’ motivation to attend the festival, a cluster analysis based on the motives identified by the factor analysis and an analysis of significant differences between the different market segments. Findings The general profile of respondents was similar to the profile of culinary tourists found in other studies. Furthermore, five key motives were identified, of which this combination has not been previously identified in the literature. The cluster analysis identified three distinct clusters, with heterogeneous behavioural and socio-demographic profile identifiers. Practical implications The value that this market segmentation technique holds regarding the marketing and branding of a(n) event/festival is that it could help managers/marketers to promote better culinary events/festivals in South Africa, by offering unique attributes that attract culinary visitors. Originality/value To the authors’ knowledge, this study is a first attempt to segment culinary visitors based on motivational factors, especially within the South African context. Clustering based on motives proved to be a useful market segmentation tool and proposes a 3-S typology of visitors to food-related events/festivals, namely, social, serious and selective epicureans.
Self-correction phase noise compensation based on decision feedback in SC-FDE satellite systems

Single-carrier frequency-domain equalization (SC-FDE) occupies a concise transmitting structure and a low peak-to-average power ratio (PAPR). These advantages are conducive to the miniaturization of the satellite systems and increase the robustness to the non-linear distortion of amplifiers. Nowadays, satellite communication systems set out to work at Ka or higher frequency bands to support the high data rate links. With the continuously rising level of the frequency in satellite communications, the effect of phase noise (PHN) also keeps increasing. So it is important to estimate and compensate the PHN in the SC-FDE satellite systems. In this paper, we design a novel self-correction phase noise compensation (SC-PNC) algorithm which is based on decision feedback in SC-FDE satellite systems. In the initial stage of our algorithm, with the aid of the receiver, the rough estimation of PHN is calculated by using the pilot signal, then the pilot rough compensation (PRC) is implemented. In the following self-correction stage, the feedback PHN is computed by the received and feedback signals. The inappropriate values are replaced according to the proposed self-correction threshold afterwards. Finally, the revised PHN compensates the received signal and we execute the front processes iteratively. The DVB-S2 and Wiener PHN models are considered in this paper. Experimental results show that the proposed algorithm can effectively improve the bit error rate (BER) performance.
The combination of lenalidomide and dexamethasone reduces bone resorption in responding patients with relapsed/refractory multiple myeloma but has no effect on bone formation: Final results on 205 patients of the Greek myeloma study group

The combination of lenalidomide plus dexamethasone (RD) is very effective for patients with relapsed/refractory myeloma. However, the effect of RD on bone metabolism has not been previously evaluated in these patients. To address this issue, we initially performed a retrospective study in 106 consecutive patients with relapsed or refractory myeloma who received RD. We measured the following bone indices on Cycle 1/Day 1 and then on Cycles 3 and 6/Day 28: dickkopf‐1 (Dkk‐1), sRANKL, osteoprotegerin (OPG), bone resorption markers (C‐telopeptide of collagen type‐I, CTX and TRACP‐5b) and bone formation markers (bone‐specific alkaline phosphatase‐bALP and osteocalcin). RD produced a reduction of CTX only in responders, with no effect on bone formation. To validate these results, we then evaluated prospectively 99 patients who received either RD (n = 50) or VRD (bortezomib + RD, n = 49). RD reduced CTX, mainly in responders but showed no effect on bone formation, confirming the result of the retrospective study. However, the addition of bortezomib to RD (VRD arm) reduced Dkk‐1, sRANKL/OPG, and CTX, while it increased bALP and OC after six cycles of therapy. These changes were irrespective of treatment response, which was similar between treatment arms. No skeletal‐related events were observed in the VRD arm while two, nonresponding patients treated with RD developed a vertebral fracture. We conclude that RD reduces bone resorption only in responding patients with relapsed/refractory myeloma but has no effect on bone formation. Combination with bortezomib, which enhances bone formation, seems to be preferred for the management of myeloma patients with osteolytic disease. Am. J. Hematol. 89:34–40, 2014. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Intrusion detection system using data mining a review

Everyday huge amount of information are transferred from one network to another, the information may be exposed to attacks. The information and information system should be protected from unauthorized users. To provide and maintain the Confidentiality and Integrity of the information is a very tedious job so Intrusion Detection plays a very important role. Although various methods are used to protect the information, loopholes exist. Data mining methods is used to analyze different attack patterns in the network. Various Classification, Clustering and Classification via Clustering (CvC) algorithms are reviewed. From the review it has been concluded that CvC would be the best suitable for Intrusion detection. In Intrusion Detection field the Cyber Security and Technology Group Contributed significantly by providing KDDcup 99 dataset and to motivate the researchers by eliminating security and privacy concern. NSL_KDD, GureKDD and Kyoto 2006+ dataset is discussed with their advantages and disadvantages.
Structural evidence for regulation and specificity of flaviviral proteases and evolution of the Flaviviridae fold

Pathogenic members of the flavivirus family, including West Nile Virus (WNV) and Dengue Virus (DV), are growing global threats for which there are no specific treatments. The two‐component flaviviral enzyme NS2B‐NS3 cleaves the viral polyprotein precursor within the host cell, a process that is required for viral replication. Here, we report the crystal structure of WNV NS2B‐NS3pro both in a substrate‐free form and in complex with the trypsin inhibitor aprotinin/BPTI. We show that aprotinin binds in a substrate‐mimetic fashion in which the productive conformation of the protease is fully formed, providing evidence for an “induced fit” mechanism of catalysis and allowing us to rationalize the distinct substrate specificities of WNV and DV proteases. We also show that the NS2B cofactor of WNV can adopt two very distinct conformations and that this is likely to be a general feature of flaviviral proteases, providing further opportunities for regulation. Finally, by comparing the flaviviral proteases with the more distantly related Hepatitis C virus, we provide insights into the evolution of the Flaviviridae fold. Our work should expedite the design of protease inhibitors to treat a range of flaviviral infections.