Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The impact of electronic word-of-mouth in the distribution of digital goods

The rapid proliferation of social media networks has presented a platform of opportunities for the distribution of digital products and related applications. This is commonly known as word-of-mouth or viral marketing and intuitively fits the requirements of digital goods in that consumption, authentication and opinions are communal. In this short paper, we point out the efficacy of the phenomenon of electronic word-of-mouth (eWoM) in digital markets. More specifically, we use a model that encapsulates our understanding of how eWoM impacts economic and social activities that influence co-consumption. An empirical study of a typical example of digital products – music albums – was conducted to test the fundamental premises of our framework and derive qualitative findings. Drawing on the results, we attempt to refine a prescriptive framework for eWoM in general. This is part of an on-going study of the distribution channels for digital media and how they may be effectively designed. Given the proliferation of the Internet and the complementary nature of social networks, we believe that context sensitive eWoM is a key aspect of digital distribution.
Uncertainty in Simulation of Nitrate Leaching at Field and Catchment Scale within the Odense River Basin

There is a clear need to conduct uncertainty analyses with respect to nitrate leaching at a range of spatial scales, from the field to the catchment scale, dependent on the spatial scale for which an assessment is relevant. At the scale of the Odense catchment in Denmark, an uncertainty assessment most likely leads to an unacceptably high number of simulations as a result of the large number of combinations of distributed data available. In this study we present a framework for an uncertainty assessment for model parameters for the unsaturated component in a linked rootzone and groundwater model and exemplified for the Odense River catchment. The proposed framework consists of (i) a simplification of the model, (ii) identification of uncertain parameters, (iii) generation of model parameter sets by means of Latin hypercube sampling (LHS), (iv) rootzone model simulation of realizations under (iii), (v) uncertainty analysis based on the standardized rank regression coefficient index, (vi) ranking of simulated nitrate leaching, and (vii) simulation of selected parameter sets sampled from the output distribution under (vi). The results show a high sensitivity of the van Genuchten soil water release characteristics parameters for percolation and leaching. The amount of applied slurry has a relatively high sensitivity for leached nitrate from the rootzone. The ranking nitrate leaching derived from the LHS simulations for a 25‐yr period is preserved for longer 55‐yr simulations. This implies that the proposed framework is applicable to the Odense catchment and likely has general applicability. In this way, uncertainty assessments are feasible at the catchment scale.
Bilabial Contact Pressure and Oral Air Pressure during Tracheoesophageal Speech

Objectives: This study compared bilabial contact pressure (CPsp) and oral air pressure (Po) for /p/, /b/, and /m/ produced by tracheoesophageal (TE) versus laryngeal speakers. Nonspeech maximum bilabial contact pressures (CPmax) were measured to calculate the percentage of the range utilized for bilabial phonemes. Methods: Ten TE speakers and 10 laryngeal speakers produced syllables and sentences loaded with bilabial phonemes. The CPsp was measured with a miniature pressure transducer on the lower lip while the Po was simultaneously measured with a catheter in the corner of the mouth coupled to a differential pressure transducer. The speakers completed a non-speech lip-press task with the contact pressure transducer in place. Results: The TE speakers produced bilabial phonemes with significantly higher CPsp and Po than did laryngeal speakers. There was no difference in CPmax between the groups. The percentage of the contact pressure range utilized for bilabial phonemes was significantly higher for TE speakers. Conclusions: The increased CPsp and Po exhibited by TE speakers may reflect an attempt to overexaggerate articulation, although an alternate explanation related to neoglottal and oral aerodynamics must also be considered in future work. Subsequent studies evaluating the relationships between magnitude of articulatory contact pressure, phoneme intelligibility, and speaker's sense of effort should contribute to a better understanding of TE speech demands and may guide novel interventions to facilitate TE speech intelligibility.
The effect of pH levels on nonlatex vs latex interarch elastics.

OBJECTIVE To evaluate the force decay characteristics of nonlatex vs latex interarch elastics within the normal range of salivary pH levels. MATERIALS AND METHODS Two nonlatex groups and one latex quasi-control group were tested. Elastics were stretched to 15 mm and were held for 10 seconds (baseline), 4 hours, 8 hours, and 12 hours in artificial saliva solutions with pH levels of 5.0, 6.0, and 7.5. Force magnitudes were measured at 25 mm of activation. Each specimen was used once. Measurements were assessed using three-way analysis of variance (ANOVA). RESULTS The three-way interaction between group, pH, and time was not significant (P = .13); the group-by-pH interaction also was not significant (P = .70). However, pH-by-time (P = .0179) and group-by-time (P = .0001) interactions were significant. American Orthodontics nonlatex generated significantly higher loads than Auradonics nonlatex. American Orthodontics nonlatex produced significantly higher forces than American Orthodontics latex at 4, 8, and 12 hours, but not at 10 seconds. American Orthodontics latex was significantly stronger than Auradonics nonlatex at 10 seconds, but not at 4, 8, and 12 hours. CONCLUSIONS No clinically significant correlation between pH and force decay was observed.
Evaluating the Research on Violent Video Games

As human beings, we have difficulty accepting random or senseless occurrences. We want to understand why something has happened, and the strength of this desire seems to be proportional to the horror of the event. When a horrible crime occurs, we want to know why. If it was related to drugs or gangs or an armed robbery, I think we find those sufficient reasons. We do not hate the crime less, but at least we think we know why it occurred.
Clinical and molecular analysis of 30 patients with multiple lentigines LEOPARD syndrome

Multiple lentigines LEOPARD syndrome (MIM 151100) is an autosomal dominant multiple congenital anomaly syndrome, with high penetrance and markedly variable expression.1 The acronym LEOPARD was coined by Gorlin et al. in 1971 as a mnemonic of the major features of this disorder: multiple l entigines, E CG conduction abnormalities, o cular hypertelorism, p ulmonic stenosis, a bnormal genitalia, r etardation of growth, and sensorineural d eafness.2 It is also known as cardiocutaneous syndrome, Moynahan syndrome, lentiginosis profuse, and progressive cardiomyopathic lentiginosis.3,4 Voron et al. proposed some diagnostic criteria for multiple lentigines LEOPARD syndrome.5 More than 100 cases have been described, and one review has been published.5,6 Multiple lentigines LEOPARD syndrome shares many features with Noonan syndrome (MIM 163950),7–9 in which lentigines and deafness usually are not present. About 40% of patients with Noonan syndrome have missense mutations in the PTPN11 gene, which encodes for the protein tyrosine phosphatase SHP2.10–14 Multiple lentigines LEOPARD syndrome has proved to be allelic to Noonan syndrome,15,16 with two recurrent PTPN11 mutations in exons 7 (Tyr279Cys) and 12 (Thr468Met). Recently, we reported a novel PTPN11 mutation (Gln506Pro) in a unique patient with multiple lentigines LEOPARD syndrome, which suggests that mutations other than Tyr279Cys and Thr468Met could be found in these patients.17 As PTPN11 mutations in multiple lentigines LEOPARD syndrome and Noonan syndrome are exclusive to these conditions, the distinctive manifestations of these disorders likely result from different molecular mechanisms. For instance, as commented in a recent report, the cardiac phenotypes in patients with Noonan syndrome and those with multiple lentigines LEOPARD syndrome with PTPN11 mutations are rather dissimilar, with pulmonary valve stenosis prevailing in the former and hypertrophic cardiomyopathy in the latter.18 We examined the PTPN11 gene in a consecutive series …
Aboveground Deadwood Deposition Supports Development of Soil Yeasts

Unicellular saprobic fungi (yeasts) inhabit soils worldwide. Although yeast species typically occupy defined areas on the biome scale, their distribution patterns within a single type of vegetation, such as forests, are more complex. In order to understand factors that shape soil yeast communities, soils collected underneath decaying wood logs and under forest litter were analyzed. We isolated and identified molecularly a total of 25 yeast species, including three new species. Occurrence and distribution of yeasts isolated from these soils provide new insights into ecology and niche specialization of several soil-borne species. Although abundance of typical soil yeast species varied among experimental plots, the analysis of species abundance and community composition revealed a strong influence of wood log deposition and leakage of organic carbon. Unlike soils underneath logs, yeast communities in adjacent areas harbored a considerable number of transient (phylloplane-related) yeasts reaching 30% of the total yeast quantity. We showed that distinguishing autochthonous community members and species transient in soils is essential to estimate appropriate effects of environmental factors on soil fungi. Furthermore, a better understanding of species niches is crucial for analyses of culture-independent data, and may hint to the discovery of unifying patterns of microbial species distribution.
Personal metadata for cataloguing microcontent - linking to large ontologies, Micromedia & e-Learning 2.0: gaining the big picture

Microlearning objects can be related by means of freely created annotations or tagging. Although such solution can help with filtering and searching, it is not enough for formalizing microlearning towards the semantic Web approach. In this paper, we propose the use of upper ontologies and more concretely, OpenCyc, to provide the required formal semantics needed by the semantic Web.
EXPORT PRICES AND HETEROGENEOUS FIRM MODELS

This paper examines the variation in export prices across firms, products and destinations to distinguish between alternative heterogeneous firm models of international trade. We establish five stylized facts using new data on the universe of Chinese trading firms. First, firms charging higher export prices earn larger revenues within each destination, have greater worldwide sales, and export to more markets. Second, firms that pay higher import prices set higher export prices, have greater worldwide sales, and export to more markets. Third, firms offer higher prices in larger, richer and more distant markets. Fourth, there is a positive correlation between export price and revenue across destinations within a firm. Finally, firms that export more to more countries pay a wider range of import prices and offer a broader menu of export prices. None of the heterogeneous firm models in the literature can match all of these patterns. Our results are instead consistent with quality differentiation across firms (stylized facts 1 and 2) and firms adjusting both quality and mark-ups across destinations in response to market toughness (stylized facts 3, 4 and 5).
Enhanced Hybrid Electromyogram / Eye Gaze Tracking Cursor Control System for Hands-Free Computer Interaction

This paper outlines the development and initial testing of a new hybrid computer cursor control system based on Eye Gaze Tracking (EGT) and electromyogram (EMG) processing for hands-free control of the computer cursor. The ultimate goal of the system is to provide an efficient computer interaction mechanism for individuals with severe motor disabilities (or specialized operators whose hands are committed to other tasks, such as surgeons, pilots, etc.) The paper emphasizes the enhancements that have been made on different areas of the architecture, with respect to a previous prototype developed by our group, and demonstrates the performance improvement verified for some of the enhancements
Neuroanatomical substrates of action perception and understanding: an anatomic likelihood estimation meta-analysis of lesion-symptom mapping studies in brain injured patients

Several neurophysiologic and neuroimaging studies suggested that motor and perceptual systems are tightly linked along a continuum rather than providing segregated mechanisms supporting different functions. Using correlational approaches, these studies demonstrated that action observation activates not only visual but also motor brain regions. On the other hand, brain stimulation and brain lesion evidence allows tackling the critical question of whether our action representations are necessary to perceive and understand others’ actions. In particular, recent neuropsychological studies have shown that patients with temporal, parietal, and frontal lesions exhibit a number of possible deficits in the visual perception and the understanding of others’ actions. The specific anatomical substrates of such neuropsychological deficits however, are still a matter of debate. Here we review the existing literature on this issue and perform an anatomic likelihood estimation meta-analysis of studies using lesion-symptom mapping methods on the causal relation between brain lesions and non-linguistic action perception and understanding deficits. The meta-analysis encompassed data from 361 patients tested in 11 studies and identified regions in the inferior frontal cortex, the inferior parietal cortex and the middle/superior temporal cortex, whose damage is consistently associated with poor performance in action perception and understanding tasks across studies. Interestingly, these areas correspond to the three nodes of the action observation network that are strongly activated in response to visual action perception in neuroimaging research and that have been targeted in previous brain stimulation studies. Thus, brain lesion mapping research provides converging causal evidence that premotor, parietal and temporal regions play a crucial role in action recognition and understanding.
Neoantigen Targeting—Dawn of a New Era in Cancer Immunotherapy?

During their development and progression tumors acquire numerous mutations that, when translated into proteins give rise to neoantigens that can be recognized by T cells. Initially, neoantigens were not recognized as preferred targets for cancer immunotherapy due to their enormous diversity and the therefore limited options to develop “one fits all” pharmacologic solutions. In recent years, the experience obtained in clinical trials demonstrating a predictive role of neoantigens in checkpoint inhibition has changed our view on the clinical potential of neoantigens in cancer immunotherapy. Technological advances such as sequencing of whole cancer genomes, the development of reliable algorithms for epitope prediction, and an increasing number of immunotherapeutic options now facilitate the development of personalized tumor therapies directly targeting a patient’s neoantigenic burden. Preclinical studies in mice that support the excellent therapeutic potential of neoantigen-directed immunotherapies have provided blueprints on how this methodology can be translated into clinical applications in humans. Consistently, very recent clinical studies on personalized vaccinations targeting in silico predicted neoepitopes shed a first light on the therapeutic potential of personalized, neoantigen-directed immunotherapies. In our review, we discuss the various subtypes of tumor antigens with a focus on neoantigens and their potential in cancer immunotherapy. We will describe the current methods and techniques of detection as well as the structural requirements for neoantigens that are needed for their recognition by T cells and for tumor destruction. To assess the clinical potential of neoantigens, we will discuss their occurrence and functional relevance in spontaneous and hereditary cancers and their prognostic and predictive value. We will present in detail the existing immunotherapeutic options that exploit the neoantigen burden of tumors encompassing both preclinical efforts that provided convincing technological proof-of-concept and the current clinical studies confirming the potential of neoantigen-directed immunotherapies.
In Proceedings of the 1997 SPIE International Conference on Performance and Control of Netork Systems

Recent measurements of network tra c have shown that self-similarity is an ubiquitous phenomenon present in both local area and wide area tra c traces. In previous work, we have shown a simple, robust application layer causal mechanism of tra c self-similarity, namely, the transfer of les in a network system where the le size distributions are heavy-tailed. In this paper, we study the e ect of scale-invariant burstiness on network performance when the functionality of the transport layer and the interaction of tra c sources sharing bounded network resources is incorporated. First, we show that transport layer mechanisms are important factors in translating the application layer causality into link tra c self-similarity. Network performance as captured by throughput, packet loss rate, and packet retransmission rate degrades gradually with increased heavy-tailedness while queueing delay, response time, and fairness deteriorate more drastically. The degree to which heavy-tailedness a ects self-similarity is determined by how well congestion control is able to shape a source tra c into an on-average constant output stream while conserving information. Second, we show that increasing network resources such as link bandwidth and bu er capacity results in a superlinear improvement in performance. When large le transfers occur with nonnegligible probability, the incremental improvement in throughput achieved for large bu er sizes is accompanied by long queueing delays visa-vis the case when the le size distribution is not heavy-tailed. Bu er utilization continues to remain at a high level implying that further improvement in throughput is only achieved at the expense of a disproportionate increase in queueing delay. A similar trade-o relationship exists between queueing delay and packet loss rate, the curvature of the performance curve being highly sensitive to the degree of self-similarity. Third, we investigate the e ect of congestion control on network performance when subject to highly self-similar tra c conditions. We implement an open-loop congestion control using unreliable transport on top of UDP where the data stream is throttled at the source to achieve a xed arrival rate. Decreasing the arrival rate results in a decline in packet loss rate whereas link utilization increases. In the context of reliable communication, we compare the performance of three versions of TCP|Reno, Tahoe, and Vegas|and we nd that sophistication of control leads to improved performance that is preserved even under highly self-similar tra c conditions. The performance gain from Tahoe to Reno is relatively minor while the performance jump from TCP Reno to Vegas is more pronounced consistent with quantitative results reported elsewhere.
Relationship between Expression of Onco-Related miRNAs and the Endoscopic Appearance of Colorectal Tumors

Accumulating data indicates that certain microRNAs (miRNAs or miRs) are differently expressed in samples of tumors and paired non-tumorous samples taken from the same patients with colorectal tumors. We examined the expression of onco-related miRNAs in 131 sporadic exophytic adenomas or early cancers and in 52 sporadic flat elevated adenomas or early cancers to clarify the relationship between the expression of the miRNAs and the endoscopic morphological appearance of the colorectal tumors. The expression levels of miR-143, -145, and -34a were significantly reduced in most of the exophytic tumors compared with those in the flat elevated ones. In type 2 cancers, the miRNA expression profile was very similar to that of the exophytic tumors. The expression levels of miR-7 and -21 were significantly up-regulated in some flat elevated adenomas compared with those in exophytic adenomas. In contrast, in most of the miR-143 and -145 down-regulated cases of the adenoma-carcinoma sequence and in some of the de novo types of carcinoma, the up-regulation of oncogenic miR-7 and/or -21 contributed to the triggering mechanism leading to the carcinogenetic process. These findings indicated that the expression of onco-related miRNA was associated with the morphological appearance of colorectal tumors.
Macrophages Release Tumor Necrosis Factor Alpha and Interleukin-12 in Response to Intracellular Bacillus anthracis Spores

ABSTRACT Herein we report that infection of a murine macrophage cell line with Bacillus anthracis results in the production of tumor necrosis factor alpha and interleukin-12 (IL-12). When infected with B. anthracis spores in combination with lipopolysaccharide, macrophages release increased amounts of IL-12. We found no evidence of inhibition of cytokine responses in macrophages infected with B. anthracis spores.
Efficient Core Maintenance in Large Dynamic Graphs

The k-core decomposition in a graph is a fundamental problem for social network analysis. The problem of k-core decomposition is to calculate the core number for every node in a graph. Previous studies mainly focus on k-core decomposition in a static graph. There exists a linear time algorithm for k-core decomposition in a static graph. However, in many real-world applications such as online social networks and the Internet, the graph typically evolves overtime. In such applications, a key issue is to maintain the core numbers of nodes when the graph changes overtime. A simple implementation is to perform the linear time algorithm to recompute the core number for every node after the graph is updated. Such simple implementation is expensive when the graph is very large. In this paper, we propose a new efficient algorithm to maintain the core number for every node in a dynamic graph. Our main result is that only certain nodes need to update their core numbers when the graph is changed by inserting/deleting an edge. We devise an efficient algorithm to identify and recompute the core numbers of such nodes. The complexity of our algorithm is independent of the graph size. In addition, to further accelerate the algorithm, we develop two pruning strategies by exploiting the lower and upper bounds of the core number. Finally, we conduct extensive experiments over both real-world and synthetic datasets, and the results demonstrate the efficiency of the proposed algorithm.
Evolution of Neuro-Controllers for Robots' Alignment using Local Communication

In this paper, we use artificial evolution to design homogeneous neural network controller for groups of robots required to align. Aligning refers to the process by which the robots managed to head towards a common arbitrary and autonomously chosen direction starting from initial randomly chosen orientations. The cooperative interactions among robots require local communications that are physically implemented using infrared signalling. We study the performance of the evolved controllers, both in simulation and in reality for different group sizes. In addition, we analyze the most successful communication strategy developed using artificial evolution.