Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
A measurement‐based study on user management in private BitTorrent communities

Beyond the traditional BitTorrent, a new genre of peer‐to‐peer communications protocol for worldwide file sharing is rapidly evolving towards private BitTorrent (PT). In recent years, a proliferation of PT communities have emerged. To enhance the user experience, account‐based share‐ratio enforcement (SRE) has been developed and widely adopted. Whereas existing studies mainly take SRE as an incentive, we discover that it also plays a critical role in selecting and filtering users. In addition to SRE, a rich set of user management rules, such as registration management, banning policies, and user caste system, are also studied in this paper. This includes to explore their effects on user behavior, download performance, content availability, and system scalability. The measurement results presented in this paper are based on large‐scale experiments conducted over six representative PT sites for over a year. We find that the stricter registration will lead to fewer new users, resulting in a scalability problem, which is critical for the PT communities because the download performance and content availability depend on not only the contribution of users but also the population of the community. Our measurement and analysis pose a direction for the design of new incentive mechanisms that take the difficulty of enrollment into the consideration.Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Constructing a Language: A Usage-Based Theory of Language Acquisition

Drawing together a vast body of empirical research in cognitive science, linguistics, and developmental psychology, Michael Tomasello demonstrates that we don't need a self-contained "language instinct" to explain how children learn language. Their linguistic ability is interwoven with other cognitive abilities. Tomasello argues that the essence of language is its symbolic dimension, which rests on the uniquely human ability to comprehend intention. Grammar emerges as the speakers of a language create linguistic constructions out of recurring sequences of symbols, children pick up these patterns in the buzz of words they hear around them. Constructing a Language offers a compellingly argued, psychologically sound new vision for the study of language acquisition.
Topographic EEG Mapping in Childhood Headaches

The clinical distinction between migraine without aura and tension headache is more difficult in young children than it is in adults. The objective of this study was to examine the usefulness of topographic EEG mapping, as one method among other diagnostic techniques, for establishing a diagnosis. The clinical diagnosis of tension headache and migraine in children between 6 and 15 years of age was established according to criteria of the International Headache Society classification. Children with migraine and tension headache were examined during and between attacks. EEG mapping showed lateralized parietal diminution of alpha-power more frequently during an attack of migraine than during tension headache, which regressed between attacks. Compared to other methods, such as visual evoked potentials, EEG mapping may have the advantage of helping to diagnose each single headache, which could be useful in patients with combined headaches.
A polar system of intercontinental bird migration

Studies of bird migration in the Beringia region of Alaska and eastern Siberia are of special interest for revealing the importance of bird migration between Eurasia and North America, for evaluating orientation principles used by the birds at polar latitudes and for understanding the evolutionary implications of intercontinental migratory connectivity among birds as well as their parasites. We used tracking radar placed onboard the ice-breaker Oden to register bird migratory flights from 30 July to 19 August 2005 and we encountered extensive bird migration in the whole Beringia range from latitude 64° N in Bering Strait up to latitude 75° N far north of Wrangel Island, with eastward flights making up 79% of all track directions. The results from Beringia were used in combination with radar studies from the Arctic Ocean north of Siberia and in the Beaufort Sea to make a reconstruction of a major Siberian–American bird migration system in a wide Arctic sector between longitudes 110° E and 130° W, spanning one-third of the entire circumpolar circle. This system was estimated to involve more than 2 million birds, mainly shorebirds, terns and skuas, flying across the Arctic Ocean at mean altitudes exceeding 1 km (maximum altitudes 3–5 km). Great circle orientation provided a significantly better fit with observed flight directions at 20 different sites and areas than constant geographical compass orientation. The long flights over the sea spanned 40–80 degrees of longitude, corresponding to distances and durations of 1400–2600 km and 26–48 hours, respectively. The birds continued from this eastward migration system over the Arctic Ocean into several different flyway systems at the American continents and the Pacific Ocean. Minimization of distances between tundra breeding sectors and northerly stopover sites, in combination with the Beringia glacial refugium and colonization history, seemed to be important for the evolution of this major polar bird migration system.
The Use of Probabilistic Systems to Mimic the Behaviour of Idiotypic AIS Robot Controllers

Previous work has shown that robot navigation systems that employ an architecture based upon the idiotypic network theory of the immune system have an advantage over control techniques that rely on reinforcement learning only. This is thought to be a result of intelligent behaviour selection on the part of the idiotypic robot. In this paper an attempt is made to imitate idiotypic dynamics by creating controllers that use reinforcement with a number of different probabilistic schemes to select robot behaviour. The aims are to show that the idiotypic system is not merely performing some kind of periodic random behaviour selection, and to try to gain further insight into the processes that govern the idiotypic mechanism. Trials are carried out using simulated Pioneer robots that undertake navigation exercises. Results show that a scheme that boosts the probability of selecting highly-ranked alternative behaviours to 50% during stall conditions comes closest to achieving the properties of the idiotypic system, but remains unable to match it in terms of all round performance.
Reinventing retirement: New pathways, new arrangements, new meanings

Retirement involves a set of institutional arrangements combined with socio-cultural meanings to sustain a distinct retirement phase in life course and career pathways. In this Introduction to the Special Issue: ‘Reinventing Retirement: New Pathways, New Arrangements, New Meanings,’ we outline the historical development of retirement. We identify the dramatic broad-based changes that recently have shaken this established construct to its core. We describe the main organizational responses to these changes, and how they have been associated with shifting, multiple meanings of retirement. Finally, we present a model that frames two general forms of reinvention of retirement. The first involves continuation of the idea of a distinct and well-defined period of life occurring at the end of a career trajectory, but with changes in the timing, the kinds of post-retirement activities pursued, and meanings associated with this period of life. The second represents a more fundamental reinvention in which the overall concept of retirement as a distinct period in an individual’s life is challenged or rejected, whether because it is not appealing or no longer realistic. We provide examples of how both types of reinvention may manifest in individuals’ careers and lives, and suggest future research directions that follow from our model.
USING THE MAJOR AND MINOR MODE TO CREATE AFFECTIVELY-CHARGED EARCONS

The importance of the structured fabrication of auditory (feedback) signals like earcons is common knowledge in the ICAD community. To create such structured families of earcons musical transformations like rhythm or pitch (and many others) are usually employed. However, one important transformation in Western tonal music, that of the distinction between major and minor mode, to our knowledge, has not been exploited, despite the fact that the affective connotation of the major and minor mode might be useful for research into auditory signals for affective human‐ computer interfaces. The present study investigated whether the transformation to major or minor mode can be used to create affectively‐charged earcons for use in affective‐ computing research [1]. The affective‐congruency effect that we obtained provides evidence that the processing of affective information can interfere with making rational, cognitive decisions. We argue that the transformation to the major or minor mode is suitable to create affectively‐charged earcons and that it is important to ensure affective correspondence in computer interfaces to be able to realize optimal performance levels.
The Effect of Adding a Minidose of Clonidine to Intrathecal Sufentanil for Labor Analgesia

Background Preliminary studies have suggested that the addition of clonidine to intrathecal sufentanil prolongs analgesia without producing motor blockade. Methods Fifty-three nulliparous women in painful labor were included in this prospective, randomized, double-blinded study. Parturients at 2- to 5-cm cervical dilation received either 5 [micro sign]g sufentanil plus 30 [micro sign]g clonidine or 5 [micro sign]g sufentanil intrathecally, followed by 5 mg bupivacaine epidurally. The primary outcome was time until first request for additional analgesia. Visual analog pain scores, sensory changes, blood pressure, heart rate, ephedrine requirements, motor blockade, sedation, pruritus, and nausea were also recorded. Results All parturients but one had effective analgesia in both groups, with similar sensory levels never exceeding T2. The duration (mean +/- SD) of analgesia was longer in the sufentanil - clonidine group: 125 +/- 46 versus 97 +/- 30 min (P = 0.007). The incidence of hypotension and the ephedrine requirements (median with range) were higher in the sufentanil - clonidine group: 63% versus 12% (P < 0.001) and 7.5 mg [range, 0 - 25.5 mg] versus 0 mg [range, 0 - 6 mg] (P < 0.0001). The incidence of fetal heart rate abnormalities during the first 30 min after intrathecal injection was similar in both groups (17% vs. 19%). No parturient had motor blockade. Conclusions The addition of 30 [micro sign]g clonidine to 5 [micro sign]g intrathecal sufentanil extended the duration of labor analgesia without producing motor blockade. However, as previously reported with 100 - 200 [micro sign]g clonidine, the incidence of hypotension and the ephedrine requirements were also increased, even when 30 [micro sign]g clonidine only was added.
The Effect of Noise on Memory for Spoken Syllables

Two experiments explore the effects of noise on memory for spoken syllables. Participants identified and then recalled nonsense syllables under different levels of noise. There were significant decrements in memory, even in conditions where there was no effect of the noise on identification of the syllable. The experiments showed effects over all list positions as well as decreases in the final, or recency, portion of the curve. Results suggest that both capacity and dual-coding play a role in immediate memory. Deux experiences explorent les effets du bruit sur la memoire de syllabes presentees de facon auditive. Les participants devaient identifier, puis rappeler, des syllabes sans signification en presence de differents niveaux de bruit. Une diminution significative du rappel de syllabes a ete observee, meme pour les syllabes correctement identifiees en presence de bruit. Les resultats montrent des effets a toutes les positions serielles ainsi qu'une diminution de l'effet de recence. Ces resultats sugge.
Redox-sensitive oxidation and phosphorylation of PTEN contribute to enhanced activation of PI3K/Akt signaling in rostral ventrolateral medulla and neurogenic hypertension in spontaneously hypertensive rats.

AIMS The activity of phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K)/serine/threonine protein kinase (Akt) is enhanced under hypertension. The phosphatase and tensin homolog deleted on chromosome 10 (PTEN) is a negative regulator of PI3K signaling, and its activity is redox-sensitive. In the rostral ventrolateral medulla (RVLM), which is responsible for the maintenance of blood pressure, oxidative stress plays a pivotal role in neurogenic hypertension. The present study evaluated the hypothesis that redox-sensitive inactivation of PTEN results in enhanced PI3K/Akt signaling in RVLM, leading to neurogenic hypertension. RESULTS Compared to age-matched normotensive Wistar-Kyoto (WKY) rats, PTEN inactivation in the form of oxidation and phosphorylation were greater in RVLM of spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR). PTEN inactivation was accompanied by augmented PI3K activity and PI3K/Akt signaling, as reflected by the increase in phosphorylation of Akt and mammalian target of rapamycin. Intracisternal infusion of tempol or microinjection into the bilateral RVLM of adenovirus encoding superoxide dismutase significantly antagonized the PTEN inactivation and blunted the enhanced PI3K/Akt signaling in SHR. Gene transfer of PTEN to RVLM in SHR also abrogated the enhanced Akt activation and promoted antihypertension. Silencing PTEN expression in RVLM with small-interfering RNA, on the other hand, augmented PI3K/Akt signaling and promoted long-term pressor response in normotensive WKY rats. INNOVATION The present study demonstrated for the first time that the redox-sensitive check-and-balance process between PTEN and PI3K/Akt signaling is engaged in the pathogenesis of hypertension. CONCLUSION We conclude that an aberrant interplay between the redox-sensitive PTEN and PI3k/Akt signaling in RVLM underpins neural mechanism of hypertension.
Conservation genomics of anadromous Atlantic salmon across its North American range: outlier loci identify the same patterns of population structure as neutral loci

Anadromous Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) is a species of major conservation and management concern in North America, where population abundance has been declining over the past 30 years. Effective conservation actions require the delineation of conservation units to appropriately reflect the spatial scale of intraspecific variation and local adaptation. Towards this goal, we used the most comprehensive genetic and genomic database for Atlantic salmon to date, covering the entire North American range of the species. The database included microsatellite data from 9142 individuals from 149 sampling locations and data from a medium‐density SNP array providing genotypes for >3000 SNPs for 50 sampling locations. We used neutral and putatively selected loci to integrate adaptive information in the definition of conservation units. Bayesian clustering with the microsatellite data set and with neutral SNPs identified regional groupings largely consistent with previously published regional assessments. The use of outlier SNPs did not result in major differences in the regional groupings, suggesting that neutral markers can reflect the geographic scale of local adaptation despite not being under selection. We also performed assignment tests to compare power obtained from microsatellites, neutral SNPs and outlier SNPs. Using SNP data substantially improved power compared to microsatellites, and an assignment success of 97% to the population of origin and of 100% to the region of origin was achieved when all SNP loci were used. Using outlier SNPs only resulted in minor improvements to assignment success to the population of origin but improved regional assignment. We discuss the implications of these new genetic resources for the conservation and management of Atlantic salmon in North America.
Granulin-epithelin precursor binds directly to ADAMTS-7 and ADAMTS-12 and inhibits their degradation of cartilage oligomeric matrix protein.

OBJECTIVE To determine 1) whether a protein interaction network exists between granulin-epithelin precursor (GEP), ADAMTS-7/ADAMTS-12, and cartilage oligomeric matrix protein (COMP); 2) whether GEP interferes with the interactions between ADAMTS-7/ADAMTS-12 metalloproteinases and COMP substrate, including the cleavage of COMP; 3) whether GEP affects tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNFalpha)-mediated induction of ADAMTS-7/ADAMTS-12 expression and COMP degradation; and 4) whether GEP levels are altered during the progression of arthritis. METHODS Yeast two-hybrid, in vitro glutathione S-transferase pull-down, and coimmunoprecipitation assays were used to 1) examine the interactions between GEP, ADAMTS-7/ADAMTS-12, and COMP, and 2) map the binding sites required for the interactions between GEP and ADAMTS-7/ADAMTS-12. Immunofluorescence cell staining was performed to visualize the subcellular localization of GEP and ADAMTS-7/ADAMTS-12. An in vitro digestion assay was employed to determine whether GEP inhibits ADAMTS-7/ADAMTS-12-mediated digestion of COMP. The role of GEP in inhibiting TNFalpha-induced ADAMTS-7/ADAMTS-12 expression and COMP degradation in cartilage explants was also analyzed. RESULTS GEP bound directly to ADAMTS-7 and ADAMTS-12 in vitro and in chondrocytes, and the 4 C-terminal thrombospondin motifs of ADAMTS-7/ADAMTS-12 and each granulin unit of GEP mediated their interactions. Additionally, GEP colocalized with ADAMTS-7 and ADAMTS-12 on the cell surface of chondrocytes. More importantly, GEP inhibited COMP degradation by ADAMTS-7/ADAMTS-12 in a dose-dependent manner through 1) competitive inhibition through direct protein-protein interactions with ADAMTS-7/ADAMTS-12 and COMP, and 2) inhibition of TNFalpha-induced ADAMTS-7/ADAMTS-12 expression. Furthermore, GEP levels were significantly elevated in patients with either osteoarthritis or rheumatoid arthritis. CONCLUSION Our observations demonstrate a novel protein-protein interaction network between GEP, ADAMTS-7/ADAMTS-12, and COMP. Furthermore, GEP is a novel specific inhibitor of ADAMTS-7/ADAMTS-12-mediated COMP degradation and may play a significant role in preventing the destruction of joint cartilage in arthritis.
The Experiences of Coronary Heart Disease Patients: Biopsychosocial Perspective

— Biological, psychological and social experiences and perceptions of healthcare services in patients medically diagnosed of coronary heart disease were investigated using a sample of 10 participants whose responses to the in-depth interview questions were analyzed based on inter-and-intra-case analyses. The results obtained revealed that advancing age, single status, divorce and/or death of spouse and the issue of single parenting negatively impacted patients’ biopsychosocial experiences. The patients’ experiences of physical signs and symptoms, anxiety and depression, past serious medical conditions, use of self-prescribed medications, family history of poor mental/medical or physical health, nutritional problems and insufficient physical activities heightened their risk of coronary attack. Collectivist culture served as a big source of relieve to the patients. Patients’ temperament, experience of different chronic life stresses/challenges, mood alteration, regular drinking, smoking/gambling, and family/social impairments compounded their health situation. Patients were satisfied with the biomedical services rendered by the healthcare personnel, whereas their psychological and social needs were not attended to. Effective procedural treatment model, a holistic and multidimensional approach to the treatment of heart disease patients was proposed.
The Geochemistry of Qatar Coastal Waters and its Impact on Carbonate Sediment Chemistry and Early Marine Diagenesis

The southern margin of the Arabian Gulf is a ‘‘classic’’ shallow-water, evaporative, carbonate-producing setting. The sediments and early diagenetic products creating the ‘‘Great Pearl Bank’’ of the United Arab Emirates to the east and accumulating in the coastal regions of Qatar to the west have long been studied as modern analogs for ancient evaporitic carbonate deposits of the rock record. An integrated study measuring the chemistry of Qatar subtidal coastal waters, evaporating tidal-pond waters (to halite saturation), and meteoric pond waters was undertaken encompassing both the dry (fall) and wet (winter/spring) seasons of 2016–2017. Measured parameters included temperature, pH, dissolved oxygen, and alkalinity, as well as major-ion (Naþ, Ca2þ, Mg2þ, Kþ, Sr2þ, Cl, and SO4 ) and stable-isotope (dO and dD) composition. Initial concentration by evaporation (to ~ 90 practical salinity units (psu)) is interpreted to drive minor diagenetic aragonite precipitation. Further evaporation initially causes minor aragonite dissolution followed by gypsum and halite precipitation. One pond showed evidence of ongoing replacive dolomitization interpreted to be driven by H2S formation and oxidation in association with microbial breakdown of organic matter. The stable-isotope composition of water in restricted ponds is a function of the degree of evaporation and dilution by meteoric waters during the wet season. Unexpectedly, beyond 350 psu, dO and dD continue to rise reaching values greater than 12 and 60%, respectively. The slope of the dO–dD regression line exhibits no differences between dry and wet seasons. During collection of coastal waters (up to ~ 90 psu), live Pirenella cingulata (previously Cerithidea cingulata) gastropods were collected and their shells analyzed for dO and dC, as well as Sr2þ and Ca2þ concentration. The dO of water and Pirenella from the same sample site exhibits a strong correlation (R 0.85) with a slope of ~ 1, suggesting that the shells may be a useful chemical archive for the isotopic composition of past oceans. The dO and dC of the shells correlate positively, likely reflecting greater sequestration of C into organic matter in more restrictive evaporative settings. The intercept of the dO and dC correlation shifts between dry and wet seasons, and is interpreted to reflect average seawater temperature differences during recent growth. There is also a strong correlation (R 0.85) between shell dO and measured water salinity, reflecting their mutual control by degree of evaporation. The Sr2þ content of the gastropods does not correlate well with any measured oceanographic parameter, or show evidence of systematic seasonal change.
A study on icon arrangement by smartphone users

The number of available mobile applications is steadily increasing. People have rapidly adopted application stores as means to customize their devices with various functionalities that go beyond communication. Understanding the principles of mobile application usage is crucial for supporting users within this new ecosystem. In this paper, we investigate how people organize applications they have installed on their devices. We asked more than 130 participants for their habits for icon arrangement and collected more than 1,400 screenshots of their devices' menus to further ground our findings. Based on this data we can distinguish five different concepts for arranging icons on smartphone menus, e.g. based on application usage frequency and applications' functional relatedness. Additionally, we investigated how these concepts emerge in relation to frequency of application installations, removals and icon rearrangements, as well as users' experience levels. Finally we discuss implications for the design of smartphone launchers, and highlight differences to icon arrangement on stationary computers.