Impact of heterogeneity and socioeconomic factors on individual behavior in decentralized sharing ecosystems

Tens of millions of individuals around the world use decentralized content distribution systems, a fact of growing social, economic, and technological importance. These sharing systems are poorly understood because, unlike in other technosocial systems, it is difficult to gather large-scale data about user behavior. Here, we investigate user activity patterns and the socioeconomic factors that could explain the behavior. Our analysis reveals that (i) the ecosystem is heterogeneous at several levels: content types are heterogeneous, users specialize in a few content types, and countries are heterogeneous in user profiles; and (ii) there is a strong correlation between socioeconomic indicators of a country and users behavior. Our findings open a research area on the dynamics of decentralized sharing ecosystems and the socioeconomic factors affecting them, and may have implications for the design of algorithms and for policymaking.Every month, ∼150 million users worldwide share files over the Internet using BitTorrent (1), the most widely used decentralized peer-to-peer (P2P) communication protocol. Eleven years after its inception, file sharing through BitTorrent is one of the top three major contributors to the overall Internet traffic, accounting for 9–27% of the total traffic, depending on the continent (2, 3).The expansion in scale and breadth of decentralized file-sharing has highlighted the conflicts between the interests of creators (musicians and writers, e.g.) and those of P2P users. Creators and creative industries argue that they are being deprived of fair compensation for their work (4), which is being widely distributed for free in violation of copyright laws. Users, however, argue that P2P can be (and is) used for sharing nonproprietary contents, and warn that widespread monitoring of online activity by corporations and law enforcement violates P2P users’ right to privacy. Proof of the complexity of the situation includes the rejection of the Anti-Counterfeiting Trade Agreement by the European Parliament and the controversy with the Stop Online Piracy Act in the United States.Despite the growing social, economic, and technological importance of BitTorrent (4), there is currently little understanding of how users behave in this complex technosocial (5, 6) ecosystem. Due to the decentralized structure of P2P ecosystems, it is very difficult to gather large-scale data about interactions and behavioral patterns of the users without their explicit consent; this is in contrast to other forms of online exchange where all of the information is stored in a central system, be it publicly accessible as in Wikipedia (7), partially accessible through a public interface as in Twitter (8, 9) or Google [through its search logs (10) or its public services (11, 12)], or restricted as in Facebook (13, 14) or in email communications within organizations (15–18).Because of the difficulty to collect complete user-level data of large and representative samples of users (3), studies of user behavior in P2P networks have so far been based on (i) small datasets; (ii) aggregate data collected from “trackers” or from individual Internet service providers (ISPs); and (iii) incomplete user data collected using a single crawler client connected to the network (19–23).Here, we investigate the complete activity patterns of a large and representative pool of BitTorrent users. Our analysis reveals that P2P sharing is highly heterogeneous, that users are specialized, giving rise to well-defined user profiles, and that the abundance of certain user profiles in a country is highly correlated with socioeconomic factors. Our findings open a research area on the dynamics of decentralized sharing ecosystems, and may have implications for the understanding and design of algorithms and for policymaking.     

人间鼠疫疫情中基于舆情通的网络舆情监测

目的探索人间鼠疫疫情中网络舆情监测方法,为其他人间鼠疫疫情网络舆情监测提供借鉴。方法基于人间鼠疫疫情中的网络数据,利用舆情通平台分析,对人间鼠疫疫情的网络舆情进行部分展示。结果舆情通系统可监测人间鼠疫疫情的网络舆情变化,通过网络大数据分析获得可视化舆情信息。结论舆情通系统可用于人间鼠疫疫情网络舆情监测,掌握网络舆情的发展和走向,为网络舆情管控赢得时机。     

Decreased frontal lobe function in people with Internet addiction disorder

In our previous studies, we showed that frontal lobe and brainstem functions were abnormal in online game addicts. In this study, 14 students with Internet addiction disorder and 14 matched healthy controls underwent proton-magnetic resonance spectroscopy to measure cerebral function. Results demonstrated that the ratio of N-acetylaspartate to creatine decreased, but the ratio of cho- line-containing compounds to creatine increased in the bilateral frontal lobe white matter in people with Internet addiction disorder. However, these ratios were mostly unaltered in the brainstem, suggesting that frontal lobe function decreases in people with Internet addiction disorder.     

Quality evaluation of the available Internet information regarding pain during orthodontic treatment

Objective:To investigate the quality of the data disseminated via the Internet regarding pain experienced by orthodontic patients.Materials and Methods:A systematic online search was performed for ‘orthodontic pain’ and ‘braces pain’ separately using five search engines. The first 25 results from each search term–engine combination were pooled for analysis. After excluding advertising sites, discussion groups, video feeds, and links to scientific articles, 25 Web pages were evaluated in terms of accuracy, readability, accessibility, usability, and reliability using recommended research methodology; reference textbook material, the Flesch Reading Ease Score; and the LIDA instrument. Author and information details were also recorded.Results:Overall, the results indicated a variable quality of the available informational material. Although the readability of the Web sites was generally acceptable, the individual LIDA categories were rated of medium or low quality, with average scores ranging from 16.9% to 86.2%. The orthodontic relevance of the Web sites was not accompanied by the highest assessment results, and vice versa.Conclusions:The quality of the orthodontic pain information cited by Web sources appears to be highly variable. Further structural development of health information technology along with public referral to reliable sources by specialists are recommended.     

Pumpers, skypers, surfers and texters: technology to improve the management of diabetes in teenagers

A variety of innovative technologies are available to assist with the management of diabetes in teenagers. Technologies include devices that assist with the direct day-to-day management of diabetes including insulin pumps and continuous glucose monitors. These devices are being used more and more with teenagers as a means of improving treatment adherence and glycaemic control. In addition, telehealth is being used to deliver care and support around diabetes management issues for teens with diabetes. Telehealth used in diabetes care for teens includes cell phones and video-conferencing. The goal of this telehealth technology is to support health behaviours and implement behavioural change strategies in a way that is more integrated into the everyday lives of patients and even in the context in which the behaviours occur in 'real time'. Finally, information and support via the Internet are gaining acceptance and use among teens with diabetes as an effective means of strategies for improved diabetes self-care. All three of these broad uses of technology in diabetes in teens represent flexible, innovative, and accessible approaches to improving both diabetes management and glycaemic control in this 'at risk' population.     

LIVIA-FR : Implémentation et évaluation d'une intervention par Internet pour des personnes francophones peinant à surmonter la perte de leur partenaire

ObjectivesThe loss of a partner, either by death or separation, is one of the most stressful life events. It predicts negative physical and psychological health consequences. Although most people are able to cope with it, however about ten percent show difficulties overcoming this painful event. Internet psychological interventions are increasingly present. They are as effective as traditional psychotherapies for a wide range of disorders, including complicated grief. They can improve the access to treatment, particularly where availability of therapists is low. Without such access the mental health of people with serious bereavement or separation difficulties, who for various reasons cannot benefit from a mental health professional, may deteriorate. Early access to an online intervention can thus be a useful and alternative way to diminish the risk of psychopathological trajectory for them. The goal is to evaluate the implementation of LIVIA, an unguided Internet-based intervention for French-speaking people struggling to cope with the loss of their partner through bereavement, divorce or separation. Brodbeck and colleagues have demonstrated its efficacy in the German guided version.MethodsIn this non-randomized clinical trial, 24 participants were included. They completed the French version of LIVIA, which contains ten modules including a psychoeducational section and exercises based on cognitive-behavioral techniques. The evolution of psychopathological symptoms such as grief, anxiety, and depression, as well as well-being were evaluated. Other parameters were measured: avoidance strategies, social support, loneliness and satisfaction regarding the program.ResultsThe median of program participation is six modules: ten people completed nine to ten modules, five completed less than half of the planned sessions. Clinical benefits were observed on grief symptoms and avoidance strategies. No other improvement was noted on depressive symptomatology, anxiety, well-being, life satisfaction or loneliness. The overall satisfaction with the intervention was good. Nevertheless, some negative points were noted: the explicative texts were considered to be complex and the confrontation exercises rather difficult, especially without the support of a resource person. These points could lead to a decrease in commitment to the program.ConclusionsLIVIA, in its unguided French version, helps reduce grief symptoms and avoidance strategies following a death or separation. However, the program needs to be improved in order to satisfy a broader public and improve its adherence to the intervention.     

基于互联网的糖尿病人群闭环式健康管理模式的构建

目的构建基于互联网模式下的闭环式健康管理模式,提高糖尿病人群健康管理效率。方法借助互联网技术,构建糖尿病诊疗服务平台,组建专业化的糖尿病健康管理团队,实施院前预防管理、院中健康管理、院后康复管理的闭环式信息化管理模式。结果 450例糖尿病患者注册成为健康管理会员,368例糖尿病患者建立了个人健康档案。健康管理团队日均通过QQ、微信完成糖尿病疾病相关的健康咨询分别为106次、137次。结论基于互联网的糖尿病人群闭环式健康管理模式可有效提高糖尿病人群健康管理效率,提升服务质量。