Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Adding Incentives to Peer-to-Peer Systems

Modern peer-to-peer systems rely heavily on the willingness of users to distribute files to their peers. A selfish user can choose to download a file and consume resources without uploading in return. This form of free-riding plagues all currently deployed systems. We present a protocol for a BitTorrent-like system (i.e., in which only one file is being shared) that strongly discourages peers from downloading a file without sharing it. Our protocol requires very little computation, and can easily be implemented in today’s peer-to-peer systems. It is resistant to all forms of manipulation by peers, including the use of multiple free identities, and does not require any coordination among seeds. We analyze our protocol and show that if downloading peers are rational, a new system equilibrium is reached in which all peers upload at least some percentage of the file they are given.
Therapeutics , Targets , and Chemical Biology STAT 3-Mediated Autophagy Dependence Identi fi es Subtypes of Breast Cancer Where Autophagy Inhibition Can Be Ef fi cacious

Autophagy is a protein andorganelle degradation pathway that is involved in diverse diseases, including cancer. Recent evidence suggests that autophagy is a cell survival mechanism in tumor cells and that its inhibition, especially in combination with other therapy, could be beneficial but it remains unclear if all cancer cells behave the same way when autophagy is inhibited. We inhibited autophagy in a panel of breast cancer cell lines and found that some of them are dependent on autophagy for survival even in nutrient rich conditions without any additional stress, whereas others need autophagy only when stressed. Survival under unstressed conditions is due to cell type–specific autophagy regulation of STAT3 activity and this phenotype is enriched in triple-negative cell lines. This autophagy-dependency affects response to therapy because autophagy inhibition reduced tumor growth in vivo in autophagy-dependent but not in autophagy-independent breast tumors, whereas combination treatment with autophagy inhibitors and other agent was preferentially synergistic in autophagy-dependent cells. These results imply that autophagy-dependence represents a tumor cell–specific characteristic where autophagy inhibition will be more effective. Moreover, our results suggest that autophagy inhibition might be a potential therapeutic strategy for triple-negative breast cancers, which currently lack an effective targeted treatment. Cancer Res; 74(9); 2579–90. 2014 AACR.
Failing the Future: Three Unsuccessful Attempts to Replicate Bem's ‘Retroactive Facilitation of Recall’ Effect

Nine recently reported parapsychological experiments appear to support the existence of precognition. We describe three pre-registered independent attempts to exactly replicate one of these experiments, ‘retroactive facilitation of recall’, which examines whether performance on a memory test can be influenced by a post-test exercise. All three replication attempts failed to produce significant effects (combined n = 150; combined p = .83, one-tailed) and thus do not support the existence of psychic ability.
Consistent Cell Means for Topcoded Incomes in the Public Use March CPS (1976-2007)

Using the internal March CPS, we create and in this paper distribute to the larger research community a cell mean series that provides the mean of all income values above the topcode for any income source of any individual in the public use March CPS that has been topcoded since 1976. We also describeour construction of this series. When we use this series together with the public use March CPS, we closely match the yearly mean income levels and income inequalities of the U.S. population found using the internal March CPS data.
Tool for automatically acquiring control knowledge for planning

Current planners show impressive performance in many real world and artificial domains by using planning (either domain dependent or independent) heuristics. But, on one hand, domain dependent planners still outperform domain independent planners by re-defining domain theories, also including control knowledge. On the other hand, these domain dependent planners require a careful and manual refinement of domain theories to incorporate domain and control knowledge. Here, we present a tool that automatically generates domain and control knowledge as a middle ground solution to the definition of efficient quality-based planners.
Seismicity‐Scanning Based on Navigated Automatic Phase‐Picking

We propose a new method, named Seismicity‐Scanning based on Navigated Automatic Phase‐picking (S‐SNAP), that is capable of delineating complex spatiotemporal distributions of seismicity. This novel algorithm takes a cocktail approach that combines source scanning, kurtosis‐based phasepicking, and the maximum intersection location technique into a single integrated workflow. This method is automated, detecting and locating earthquakes efficiently, comprehensively, and accurately. We apply S‐SNAP to a data set recorded by a dense local seismic array during a hydraulic fracturing operation to test this novel approach and to demonstrate its effectiveness in relation to existing methods. Overall, S‐SNAP found about 3.5 times as many high‐quality events as a template matching‐based catalogue. All events in the previous catalogue are identified with similar epicenters, depths, and magnitudes, while no false detections are found by visual inspection.
Reply to comment by Ma and Zhang on “Rescaling the complementary relationship for land surface evaporation”

Ma and Zhang (2017) note a concern they have with our rescaled Complementary Relationship (CR) for land surface evaporation when daily average wind speeds are very low (perhaps less than 1 m/s). We discuss conditions and specific formulations that lead to this concern, but ultimately argue that under these conditions, a key assumption behind the CR itself may not be satisfied at the daily time scale. Thus, careful consideration of the reliability of the CR is needed when wind speeds are very low.
Factors related to partner involvement in development of the US national physical activity plan.

CONTEXT Physical activity coalitions are increasingly forming to meet the demands associated with policy, systems, and environmental change necessary to realize increases in population levels of physical activity. Little is known about what makes physical activity coalitions successful; however, evidence from community-based coalitions in other public health domains suggests that factors related to each organization that joins a coalition may explain coalition success or failure. OBJECTIVE The objective of this study was to employ qualitative methods to understand the factors related to organizations' decisions to join and remain committed to the coalition that developed and launched the US National Physical Activity Plan (NPAP). DESIGN/SETTING Qualitative semistructured phone interviews were conducted with key informants from the NPAP coalition's partner organizations. Interviews were transcribed verbatim and coded separately by members of the research team. PARTICIPANTS Fourteen individuals representing 13 NPAP partner organizations participated in the study. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES Analysis focused on key factors explaining why and how partner organizations decided to join and remain committed to the NPAP coalition. RESULTS Five primary factors emerged: (1) strategic alignment, (2) organizational alignment, (3) provide input, (4) seminal event, and (5) cost/benefit ratio. CONCLUSIONS Building and maintaining a physical activity coalition with highly committed partners may hinge upon the ability to fully understand how each current or prospective partner perceives it could benefit from strategic alignment with the coalition, aligning with other organizations involved with the coalition, having input with the coalition's activities, participating in important events and products of the coalition, and realizing more overall advantages than disadvantages for participating in the coalition.
Ensuring high sensor data quality through use of online outlier detection techniques

Data collected by Wireless Sensor Networks (WSNs) are inherently unreliable. Therefore, to ensure high data quality, secure monitoring, and reliable detection of interesting and critical events, outlier detection mechanisms are needed to be in place. The constraint nature of resources available in WSNs necessities that unlike traditional outlier detection techniques performed off-line, outliers to be identified in an online manner. This means that outliers in distributed streaming data should be detected in (near) real time with a high accuracy while maintaining the resource consumption of the WSN to a minimum. In this paper, we propose outlier detection techniques based on one-class quarter-sphere support vector machine meeting constraints and requirements of WSNs. To reduce the false alarm rate while increasing the detection rate and to enable collaborative outliers detection, we take advantage of spatial and temporal correlations that exist between sensor data. Experiments with both synthetic and real data show that our distributed and online outlier detection techniques achieve better detection accuracy and lower false alarm compared to an earlier distributed, batch outlier detection technique designed for WSNs.
Retinal Peripapillary Nerve Fiber Layer Thickness in a 13-Year-Old Boy with Neuromyelitis Optica

Purpose. To report changes in retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) thickness in a patient with neuromyelitis optica (NMO). Methods. A 13-year-old Caucasian boy presented with reduced visual acuity in both eyes, headache, and neck pain associated with left hand burning sensation. Clinical and laboratory examination, including magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and optical coherence tomography (OCT), were performed. Results. MRI showed spinal cord abnormality and acute myelitis, but normal optic nerve head. A significant reduction of the average and temporal area RNFL thickness was recorded in both eyes by OCT. Six months after initial steroid treatment, visual acuity and visual field slightly improved, but RNFL thickness was further reduced. Conclusions. RNFL thickness measurement with OCT should be performed not only in adults, but also in young patients in case of suspected NMO to confirm the diagnosis and to monitor the disease.
Properties and prediction of flow statistics from sampled packet streams

Many routers can generate and export statistics on flows of packets that traverse them. Increasingly, high end routers form flow statistics from only a sampled packet stream in order to manage resource consumption involved.This paper addresses three questions. Firstly: what are the downstream consequences for the measurement infrastructure? Long traffic flows will be split up if the time between sampled packets exceeds the flow timeout. Using packet header traces we show that flows generated by increasingly prevalent peer-to-peer applicalions are vulnerable to this effect.Secondly: can the volume of packet-sampled flow statistics be easily determined? We develop a simple model that predicts both the export rate of flow packet-sampled flow statistics and the number of active flows. It uses unsampled flow statistics---those commonly currently collected--as its data, i.e., it does not rely on having packet header traces available.Thirdly: what properties of the original traffic stream can be inferred from the packet sampled flow statistics? We show that as well as estimating total bytes and packets, one can also infer more detail, specifically the number and average length of flows in the unsampled traffic stream, even though some flows will have no packets sampled. We believe that this information is useful, both for understanding source traffic, e.g. the dependence of flow lengths on application type, and also monitoring changes in the composition of the traffic, e.g., a flood of short flows during a DoS attack. In all cases, we evaluate our approach using packet header traces gathered in backbone and campus networks.
Visible and thermal infrared observations of the Martian surface during three Phobos shadow transits

We present visible and thermal infrared observations of the Martian surface acquired during three Phobos transits. Observations show a decrease of up to ∼20% of the reflected solar energy, consistent with the fraction of the Sun disk eclipsed by Phobos, and no measurable surface cooling. Thermal modeling indicates that the top millimeter of the regolith has a thermal inertia larger than 100 J m−2 K−1 s−1/2 regardless of the surface morphology, and is consistent with TES regional thermal inertia values derived from diurnal cycles (e.g. ∼200 J m−2 K−1 s−1/2). The thermophysical properties of the top millimeter of the regolith exclude the presence of widespread thermally‐thick dust layers, are consistent with those of the diurnal skin depths at TES and THEMIS spatial resolutions, are in accordance with high‐resolution images of the surface showing no surface mantling, with General Circulation Model results, thermally derived rock abundance values, albedo, and spectroscopic data.
Comparative Genomic Analysis of Meningitis- and Bacteremia-Causing Pneumococci Identifies a Common Core Genome

ABSTRACT Streptococcus pneumoniae is a nasopharyngeal commensal that occasionally invades normally sterile sites to cause bloodstream infection and meningitis. Although the pneumococcal population structure and evolutionary genetics are well defined, it is not clear whether pneumococci that cause meningitis are genetically distinct from those that do not. Here, we used whole-genome sequencing of 140 isolates of S. pneumoniae recovered from bloodstream infection (n = 70) and meningitis (n = 70) to compare their genetic contents. By fitting a double-exponential decaying-function model, we show that these isolates share a core of 1,427 genes (95% confidence interval [CI], 1,425 to 1,435 genes) and that there is no difference in the core genome or accessory gene content from these disease manifestations. Gene presence/absence alone therefore does not explain the virulence behavior of pneumococci that reach the meninges. Our analysis, however, supports the requirement of a range of previously described virulence factors and vaccine candidates for both meningitis- and bacteremia-causing pneumococci. This high-resolution view suggests that, despite considerable competency for genetic exchange, all pneumococci are under considerable pressure to retain key components advantageous for colonization and transmission and that these components are essential for access to and survival in sterile sites.
Effectiveness of a multidimensional approach for prevention of ventilator-associated pneumonia in adult intensive care units from 14 developing countries of four continents: Findings of the International Nosocomial Infection Control Consortium*

Objectives:The aim of this study was to analyze the effect of the International Nosocomial Infection Control Consortium’s multidimensional approach on the reduction of ventilator-associated pneumonia in patients hospitalized in intensive care units. Design:A prospective active surveillance before–after study. The study was divided into two phases. During phase 1, the infection control team at each intensive care unit conducted active prospective surveillance of ventilator-associated pneumonia by applying the definitions of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention National Health Safety Network, and the methodology of International Nosocomial Infection Control Consortium. During phase 2, the multidimensional approach for ventilator-associated pneumonia was implemented at each intensive care unit, in addition to the active surveillance. Setting:Forty-four adult intensive care units in 38 hospitals, members of the International Nosocomial Infection Control Consortium, from 31 cities of the following 14 developing countries: Argentina, Brazil, China, Colombia, Costa Rica, Cuba, India, Lebanon, Macedonia, Mexico, Morocco, Panama, Peru, and Turkey. Patients:A total of 55,507 adult patients admitted to 44 intensive care units in 38 hospitals. Interventions:The International Nosocomial Infection Control Consortium ventilator-associated pneumonia multidimensional approach included the following measures: 1) bundle of infection-control interventions; 2) education; 3) outcome surveillance; 4) process surveillance; 5) feedback of ventilator-associated pneumonia rates; and 6) performance feedback of infection-control practices. Measurements:The ventilator-associated pneumonia rates obtained in phase 1 were compared with the rates obtained in phase 2. We performed a time-series analysis to analyze the impact of our intervention. Main Result:During phase 1, we recorded 10,292 mechanical ventilator days, and during phase 2, with the implementation of the multidimensional approach, we recorded 127,374 mechanical ventilator days. The rate of ventilator-associated pneumonia was 22.0 per 1,000 mechanical ventilator days during phase 1, and 17.2 per 1,000 mechanical ventilator days during phase 2.The adjusted model of linear trend shows a 55.83% reduction in the rate of ventilator-associated pneumonia at the end of the study period; that is, the ventilator-associated pneumonia rate was 55.83% lower than it was at the beginning of the study. Conclusion:The implementation the International Nosocomial Infection Control Consortium multidimensional approach for ventilator-associated pneumonia was associated with a significant reduction in the ventilator-associated pneumonia rate in the adult intensive care units setting of developing countries.
A document stitching method based on optimal seam

With the development and application of the computer, the traditional paper documents can be stored and managed effectively after turning into digital images. In electronization of archives, a single camera is insufficient to gain a whole image clearly. At present, we generally shoot several images for stitching to obtain a complete and clear image. In document stitching, ghost has a quite large influence on fusion effect. A document stitching method based on optimal seam is proposed in this paper. When tilt correction for the archives is finished and overlapping regions are detected, binary images are extracted with OTSU algorithm. The area without archives is detected in the binary image horizontally and vertically by projection method and then search for feasible seams is made for stitching in the blank area so as to avoid ghost. Finally, the optimal seam is determined from the blank area. The experimental results show that the effect of registration ghost is eliminated and a good blending effect is achieved.
Using Dendritic Cell Maturation and IL-12 Producing Capacity as Markers of Function: A Cautionary Tale

Effective dendritic cell (DC) function depends on sufficient expression of antigen and costimulatory molecules, and secretion of interleukin (IL)-12. We sought to augment DC stimulatory capacity by optimizing DC phenotype and IL-12 production. DCs, obtained by CD14-selection, were matured using 8 different cytokine cocktails, and expression of costimulatory/major histocompatibility complex molecules and IL-12 production at the end of maturation was assessed. DC stimulatory capacity was determined after pulsing with immunogenic adenoviral CD8+ peptide epitopes or after transduction with an Ad5f35-null vector. Resultant T-cell cultures were analyzed using pentamer and interferon-γ enzyme-linked immunosorbent spot assays. On the basis of DC expression of maturation markers and IL-12 production, we defined prototype “minimal” [tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), prostaglandin E2], “standard” (IL-1, IL-6, TNF-α, prostaglandin E2), and “optimal” (IL-1, IL-6, TNF-α, interferon-α, CD40 ligand) DC cocktails. Optimal DCs were functionally superior when pulsed with CD8+ peptides, but when transduced with Ad5f35, functioned poorly as antigen-presenting cells. We investigated the mechanisms underlying this discrepancy and suggest that prolonged stimulation with potent cytokines (optimal cocktail) in combination with adenoviral transduction alters the kinetics of DC maturation such that the DCs are functionally exhausted by the traditional 48-hour maturation time point. Shortening the DC maturation period posttransduction restored optimal DC stimulatory capacity. Thus, maturation stimuli and viral transduction affects DC phenotype, IL-12 producing capacity, and kinetics of maturation, and all must be considered before designing protocols to generate the optimal DC for cytotoxic T lymphocyte generation.
Visual Performance and Optical Quality of Standardized Asymmetric Soft Contact Lenses in Patients With Keratoconus.

Purpose To evaluate the visual performance and optical quality of a standardized asymmetric soft contact lens (SCL) used for correction of higher-order aberrations (HOAs) in eyes with keratoconus. Methods We included 30 eyes (26 patients) with keratoconus (average K: 45.7 ± 2.3 diopters [D]). The patients were subjected to corneal tomography, aberrometry, measurements of manifest refraction and visual acuity (VA), and visual analog scale (VAS) assessments. The study lenses were made using a molding method and consisted of six standardized types, in which an asymmetric power distribution of approximately 2 to 12 D (2-D step) was used to correct HOAs. The lens type suitable for each eye was selected based on the corneal tomography and aberrometry data. The on-eye performance of the lens was evaluated using aberrometry (4-mm pupil), over refraction, VA, and VAS. Results The standardized asymmetric SCL improved the best spectacle-corrected VA from -0.07 ± 0.09 to -0.11 ± 0.08 logMAR (P < 0.05) and the mean VAS score from 66.2 ± 21.8 to 75.4 ± 20.5 (P < 0.05). Vertical coma decreased significantly (-0.50 ± 0.36 μm without SCL; -0.36 ± 0.34 μm with SCL; P < 0.01). In subgroup analysis, subjects in the high VAS group (score ≥ 75) accounted for 70% of all subjects, and this was the group in which the vertical coma decreased significantly from the level without the lens. Conclusions A standardized asymmetric SCL can reduce HOAs and improve vision quality when compared with spectacles in patients with keratoconus who wear rigid gas-permeable lenses.
Constrained EM estimates for harmonic source separation

A constrained iterative method for harmonic source parameter estimation is proposed based on an EM algorithm with intent for harmonic source separation. The problem of coinciding partials and interference among them in general is mitigated by the constraints on the "weak" partials on the stronger ones of the same harmonic source. A useful scheme to determine the weakness of a partial is proposed. The constrained iteration is shown to give more accurate estimates of the sinusoidal parameters, which results in good source separation even in most cases of highly overlapping spectra.