Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Privacy Notice and Choice in Practice

In the United States, notice and choice remain the most commonly used mechanisms to protect people’s privacy online. This approach relies on the assumption that users provided with notice will make informed choices that align with their privacy expectations. The goal of this research is to empirically inform industry and regulatory efforts that rely on notice and choice to protect people’s online privacy. To do so, we present a set of case studies covering different aspects of privacy notice and choice in four domains: online behavioral advertising (OBA), online social networks (OSN), financial privacy notices, and websites’ machine-readable privacy notices. We investigate users’ privacy preferences, information needs, and ability to exercise choices in the OBA domain. Based on our results, we provide recommendations to improve the design of notice and choice methods currently in use in this domain. In the context of OSNs, we explore the effect of nudging notices designed to encourage more thoughtful disclosures among Facebook users and recommend changes to the Facebook user interface aimed to mitigate problematic disclosures. We demonstrate how standardized notices enable large-scale evaluations and comparisons of companies’ privacy practices and argue that standardized privacy notices have an enormous potential to improve transparency and benefit users, privacy-respectful companies, and oversight entities. We argue that, in today’s complex Internet ecosystem, an approach that relies on users to make privacy decisions should also empower them with user-friendly interfaces, relevant information, and the tools they need to make privacy decisions. Finally, we further argue that notice and choice are necessary, but not sufficient to protect online privacy, and that government regulation is necessary to establish necessary additional protections including access, redress, accountability, and enforcement.
Release Connection Fingerprints in Social Networks Using Personalized Differential Privacy

In social networks, diffierent users may have diffierent privacy preferences and there are many users with public identities. Most work on diffierentially private social network data publication neglects this fact. We aim to release the number of public users that a private user connects to within n hops, called n-range Connection fingerprints (CFPs), under user-level personalized privacy preferences. We proposed two schemes, Distance-based exponential budget absorption (DEBA) and Distancebased uniformly budget absorption using Ladder function (DUBA-LF), for privacy-preserving publication of the CFPs based on Personalized diffierential privacy (PDP), and we conducted a theoretical analysis of the privacy guarantees provided within the proposed schemes. The implementation showed that the proposed schemes are superior in publication errors on real datasets.
The effect of relation specific information technology on collaborative coordination in business-to-business relationships

This paper examines how specific investments in information technology (IT) affect vertical electronic coordination (VEC) between firms. Recent research has demonstrated that increased specificity in IT investments fosters greater electronic coordination in B2B relationships. In order to capture the various business processes and information exchanged in business-to-business relationships, this paper makes a deliberate distinction between VEC for collaborative purposes and for transactional purposes. The most important distinction concerns the characteristics of the exchange situation, in which the degree of inter-firm dependence plays a central part. Empirical data from a cross-industrial survey of 198 buyer-supplier relationships reveals that the effect that customised IT investments on VEC for collaborative purposes is contingent on the level of basic specific assets employed in buyer-seller relationships. This study found no such effects for electronic coordination for transactional purposes. The findings of this study shows that specific IT investments enhance the ability to carry out collaborative vertical coordination only when strong inter-firm dependency and small number conditions are present.
Increasing adherence to a community-based guideline for acute sinusitis through education, physician profiling, and financial incentives.

OBJECTIVES To implement a large-scale multifaceted intervention consisting of physician education, profiling, and a financial incentive, to improve treatment quality for acute sinusitis. STUDY DESIGN Cohort trial using a historical control of treatment patterns among approximately 500 internists, 200 family practitioners, and 200 pediatricians in a northeastern community-wide individual practice association. PARTICIPANTS AND METHODS Episode treatment group methods were adapted to identify cases (episodes) and to assess care patterns for acute sinusitis among 420,000 health maintenance organization patients seen between January 1, 1999, and December 31, 2001. The intervention consisted of care pathway development, physician and patient education, physician profiling, and a financial incentive. RESULTS A statistical process control chart showed a shift toward recommended treatment patterns after our intervention. The rate of exceptions per episode of acute sinusitis decreased 20%, from 326 exceptions per 1000 episodes between January 1, 1999, and October 31, 2000, to 261 between November 1, 2000, and December 31, 2001. Decreased use of less effective or inappropriate antibiotics accounted for most of the change (199 to 136 exceptions per 1000 episodes [32% change]). Azithromycin use decreased 30%, from 97 to 68 prescriptions per 1000 episodes. Firstline antibiotic (amoxicillin and doxycycline) use increased 14%, from 451 to 514 prescriptions per 1000 episodes. Inappropriate radiology use decreased 20%, from 15 to 12 per 1000 episodes. These changes were significant at P < . 005. CONCLUSION A multifaceted program, including education, physician profiling with actionable recommendations, and a financial incentive, significantly increased physicians' adherence to a community-developed care pathway and was successful at improving adherence to recommended patterns of antibiotic use in acute sinusitis.
Impacts of shelf space and other product cues on the Selection of FMCG products in grocery store

Consumers always use the different product cues for the selection of different product categories and these cues are developed with the passage of time and experience. This study is totally based on this concept; we tried to explain the usage of these product categories. From different articles we shortlisted the six most important product cues. We studied the impact of these product cues in the sale of FMCG product categories. To conduct the research, we defined the six products of FMCG product categories; these six product categories were selected through a focus group. A quantitative research was conducted in this study and questionnaires were used to collect the feedback of respondent’s. These respondents were selected by using the convenient sampling approach and spss was used to analyze the data. On the basis of findings we can say that the taste/ performance cue is the most important cue in the sale of FMCG product categories. We concluded this research by giving the suggestions to the retailers and manufacturer that how they can increase the profit in the respective product category.
An efficient local and global model for image segmentation

In this paper, a new region-based active contour model using a variational level set formulation is proposed for image segmentation. The model is based on curve evolution, local statistical function and level set method. The energy function for the proposed model consists of two components: global component and local component. By introducing the local term, the images with intensity inhomogeneities can be efficiently segmented. Moreover, a smoothness regularization is derived from a Gaussian filtering term. This allows avoiding re-initialization while ensuring the smoothness of the level set function. The addition of the global term makes the model more flexible to the location of initial contour. Experimental results show that our method is less sensitive to the location of initial contour and demonstrate the performance of our model.
Identification of three 11p11.2 candidate liver tumor suppressors through analysis of known human genes

We have previously mapped a liver tumor suppressor locus to human chromosome 11p11.2‐p12 using a functional model of tumor suppression. Using this model system, we have employed a candidate gene approach to identify potential liver tumor suppressor genes. Thirty‐eight known genes have been positioned in human 11p11.2‐p12 by the Human Genome Project. Here we show that four of these genes (guanine nucleotide binding protein gamma 3; mitochondrial carrier homolog 2; p53‐induced protein (PIG11), and pRDI‐BF1‐rIZ1 domain containing 11) localized to the minimal liver tumor suppressor region within 11p11.2‐p12. In fact, all of these genes mapped to human 11p11.2, allowing refinement of the liver tumor suppressor region to this cytogenetic band. Three of the four genes (mitochondrial carrier homolog 2, PIG11, and pRDI‐BF1‐rIZ1 domain containing 11) were uniformly expressed by an index panel of suppressed microcell hybrid cell lines, identifying them as candidate liver tumor suppressor genes. In a preliminary analysis of four human hepatocellular carcinoma cell lines (HepG2, Hep3B, SNU398, and SNU449), the transcript for PIG11 was lost or significantly decreased in two of these cell lines (HepG2 and Hep3B), suggesting the potential involvement of PIG11 in some human hepatocellular carcinomas. The results of this study extended our previous knowledge of genes located in the minimal liver tumor suppressor region of human 11p11.2 and identified several candidate liver tumor suppressor genes from this region. Further characterization of these candidates will provide new insight into the role of human 11p11.2 in the molecular pathogenesis of human liver cancer. © 2003 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Differential Induction of the Toll-Like Receptor 4-MyD88-Dependent and -Independent Signaling Pathways by Endotoxins

ABSTRACT The biological response to endotoxin mediated through the Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4)-MD-2 receptor complex is directly related to lipid A structure or configuration. Endotoxin structure may also influence activation of the MyD88-dependent and -independent signaling pathways of TLR4. To address this possibility, human macrophage-like cell lines (THP-1, U937, and MM6) or murine macrophage RAW 264.7 cells were stimulated with picomolar concentrations of highly purified endotoxins. Harvested supernatants from previously stimulated cells were also used to stimulate RAW 264.7 or 23ScCr (TLR4-deficient) macrophages (i.e., indirect induction). Neisseria meningitidis lipooligosaccharide (LOS) was a potent direct inducer of the MyD88-dependent pathway molecules tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α), interleukin-1β (IL-1β), monocyte chemoattractant protein 1 (MCP-1), macrophage inflammatory protein 3α (MIP-3α), and the MyD88-independent molecules beta interferon (IFN-β), nitric oxide, and IFN-γ-inducible protein 10 (IP-10). Escherichia coli 55:B5 and Vibrio cholerae lipopolysaccharides (LPSs) at the same pmole/ml lipid A concentrations induced comparable levels of TNF-α, IL-1β, and MIP-3α, but significantly less IFN-β, nitric oxide, and IP-10. In contrast, LPS from Salmonella enterica serovars Minnesota and Typhimurium induced amounts of IFN-β, nitric oxide, and IP-10 similar to meningococcal LOS but much less TNF-α and MIP-3α in time course and dose-response experiments. No MyD88-dependent or -independent response to endotoxin was seen in TLR4-deficient cell lines (C3H/HeJ and 23ScCr) and response was restored in TLR4-MD-2-transfected human embryonic kidney 293 cells. Blocking the MyD88-dependent pathway by DNMyD88 resulted in significant reduction of TNF-α release but did not influence nitric oxide release. IFN-β polyclonal antibody and IFN-α/β receptor 1 antibody significantly reduced nitric oxide release. N. meningitidis endotoxin was a potent agonist of both the MyD88-dependent and -independent signaling pathways of the TLR4 receptor complex of human macrophages. E. coli 55:B5 and Vibrio cholerae LPS, at the same picomolar lipid A concentrations, selectively induced the MyD88-dependent pathway, while Salmonella LPS activated the MyD88-independent pathway.
Parameters estimations for continuous-time stochastic volatility models

Stochastic volatility (SV) models take a very important role in financial market, while there still exist some difficulties in estimating parameters in SV models. In this paper, a unified parameter estimation algorithm is proposed to estimate continuous-time SV model. Parameters in equity prices and volatilities stochastic processes are estimated separately after orthogonalization of Brownian motion in SV models. A closed-form of Maximum Likelihood Estimation (MLE) and moment estimation results for four parameters in SV models are deducted. Five typical SV models are simulated to reveal the characteristics in empirical volatilities data. Parameter estimation results are presented to prove the convergence of estimation algorithm. We also compare our algorithm with Least Square (LS) estimations and numerical solutions of all the parameters in with MLE method, respectively. LS can only work in a specific form of SV models and the convergence speed is limited. Numerical solutions of the likelihood function with four parameters are unstable and can not converge to true values of all the parameters. Thus our algorithm works more efficiently than other methods.
ALMA observations of cold molecular gas in AGN hosts at z ~ 1.5 – evidence of AGN feedback?

Similarly to the cosmic star formation history, the black hole accretion rate density of the Universe peaked at 1 99% probability of lower depletion time scales and lower molecular gas fractions in AGN hosts with respect to the non-AGN comparison sample. We discuss the implications of these observations on the impact that AGN feedback may have on star formation efficiency of z>1 galaxies.
A high performance asynchronous non-blocking data communication protocol

In this paper, we design a high-performance data communication message-oriented protocol (ECP), which is based on asynchronous non-blocking I/O model, used reactor design mode, introduced pipeline, and is on top of TCP without modifying the operating system underlying API. It is very effective in the environment that has a great demand of network communication, especially in the case of large-scale data communication and high concurrent requests.
Application-specific optimization of optical sensors based on single-photon avalanche diodes

In recent years, various developments have advanced the field of optical sensors based on single-photon avalanche diodes. In this contribution we present two sensors that were designed in 0. 35μm CMOS technology. A silicon photomultiplier achieves a fill factor of 68 % at 50 μm pixel pitch and allows improved functionality by cointegration of application-specific readout electronics. A time-gated line sensor with gating times down to 1.5ns and serial digital output was designed based on optimized pixel geometry suitable for spectroscopy applications. Planned further improvements of sensors based on single-photon avalanche diode technology, including on-chip temperature compensation, are presented.
A study on enterprise technology adoption of SaaS

Cloud computing, as the most emerging service model, and SaaS (Software as a Service), as currently the most popular cloud computing services, have received wide attention from academia and industry. In this paper, empirical research has been done on key factors influencing the enterprises technology adoption of SaaS by expanding classic TOE Model (Technology-Organization-Environment) and with enterprises as the object of study. According to the result of data analysis of 92 questionnaires by using SPSS and PLS, it was found that task-technology fitness and technology-organization compatibility of technical factors have significant influence on enterprise users' intention to use SaaS; executives' attitudes of organizational factors have significant influence on enterprise users' intention to use SaaS; of environmental factors, government policy has significant influence on enterprise users' intention to use SaaS, however, competition intensity has no significant influence on users' intention.
1.3-µm, 50-Gbit/s EADFB lasers for 400GbE

We have developed 1.3-µm, 50-Gbit/s EADFB lasers for future 400Gbit Ethernet. 10-and 40-km SMF transmission with clear eye openings over 14-nm wavelength range under 50-Gbit/s operation are demonstrated for the first time.
Selection at the pathway level drives the evolution of gene-specific transcriptional noise

Biochemical reactions within individual cells result from the interactions of molecules, typically in small numbers. Consequently, the inherent stochasticity of binding and diffusion processes generate noise along the cascade that leads to the synthesis of a protein from its encoding gene. As a result, isogenic cell populations display phenotypic variability even in homogeneous environments. The extent and consequences of this stochastic gene expression have only recently been assessed on a genome-wide scale, in particular owing to the advent of single cell transcriptomics. However, the evolutionary forces shaping this stochasticity have yet to be unraveled. We take advantage of two recently published data sets of the single-cell transcriptome of the domestic mouse Mus musculus in order to characterize the effect of natural selection on gene-specific transcriptional stochasticity. We show that noise levels in the mRNA distributions (a.k.a. transcriptional noise) significantly correlate with three-dimensional nuclear domain organization, evolutionary constraint on the encoded protein and gene age. The position of the encoded protein in biological pathways, however, is the main factor that explains observed levels of transcriptional noise, in agreement with models of noise propagation within gene networks. Because transcriptional noise is under widespread selection, we argue that it constitutes an important component of the phenotype and that variance of expression is a potential target of adaptation. Stochastic gene expression should therefore be considered together with mean expression level in functional and evolutionary studies of gene expression.
Adrenal Axis Hyperresponsiveness and Decreased Suppression of the GH / IGF-1 Axis − Pituitary − The Stress Response to Surgery and Postoperative Delirium : Evidence of Hypothalamic

Introduction: The aim of this study is to determine whether postoperative delirium is associated with dysregulation of hypothalamic—pituitary—adrenal and growth hormone/insulin-like growth factor 1 (GH/IGF-1) responses following acute systemic inflammation. Methods: Plasma levels of cortisol, IGF-1, C-reactive protein, interleukin (IL)-6, IL-8, and IL-10 were measured before and after surgery in 101 patients 60 years without dementia undergoing elective hip arthroplasty. Participants were assessed with confusion assessment method and Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (Fourth Edition, Text Revision; DSM-IV-TR) postoperatively and 37 patients fulfilled the DSM-IV-TR criteria for delirium. Results: Preoperative plasma cortisol levels were similar in delirium and nondelirium groups (405.37 + 189.04 vs 461.83 + 219.39; P 1⁄4 .22). Participants with delirium had higher postoperative cortisol levels (821.67 + 367.17 vs 599.58 + 214.94; P 1⁄4 .002) with enhanced postoperative elevation in relation to baseline (1.9vs 1.5-fold; P 1⁄4 .004). The plasma levels of IGF1 did not differ in delirium and nondelirium groups before (18.12 + 7.58 vs 16.8 + 7.86; P 1⁄4 .477) and following surgery (13.39 + 5.94 vs 11.12 + 6.2; P 1⁄4 .639), but the levels increased in relation to baseline more frequently in patients who developed delirium (24.3% vs 7.8%; P 1⁄4 .034). The magnitude of postoperative cortisol elevation correlated with DIL-6 (P 1⁄4 .485; P 1⁄4 .002), DIL-8 (P 1⁄4 .429; P 1⁄4 .008), and DIL-10 (P 1⁄4 .544; P < .001) only in patients with delirium. Conclusions: Hypothalamic—pituitary—adrenal axis hyperresponsiveness and a less frequent suppression of the GH/IGF-1 axis in response to acute stress are possibly involved in delirium pathophysiology.
Development of woofer microspeakers used for cellular phones

For cellular phones, high-performance microspeakers with broader frequency range are essential parts to realize various multimedia functions such as MP3 playback, speaker phones, and 64 polyharmonic melody. The operating frequency range of conventional microspeaker ranges is from 800 Hz to 10 kHz. It is very difficult to generate a lower frequency sound below 800 Hz in microspeakers. Therefore, it is necessary to develop woofer microspeakers that make higher sound pressure level (SPL) at a lower frequency band. However, in the case of microspeakers, it is hard to have good performance at a lower frequency range due to size. In this paper, a diaphragm is introduced which is attached to a copper plate to make high performance at a lower frequency range. The woofer microspeaker is developed to have high flux density by magnetic circuit with two-magnet.
An improved relative channel reciprocity calibration method in TDD massive MIMO systems

In this paper, we introduce an improved relative channel reciprocity calibration method in TDD massive multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) systems. The improved calibration method divide the massive MIMO system into one Single-Input Single-Output (SISO) system and two Single-Input Multiple-Output (SIMO) systems instead of calibrating the massive MIMO directly. We select the channel with high channel gain to be the reference channel (the SISO system), the antennas of the SISO system are the reference antennas. At the same station the reference antenna and the other antennas consist the SIMO system. The three systems include all the receive circuitry and the transmit circuitry information of the massive MIMO system. We calibrate the three systems and acquire the calibration coefficients. Then we use the calibration coefficients of the three systems to calibrate the massive MIMO system. The proposed calibration method in this paper can reduce the amount of feedback and the computation complexity compared with calibrating the massive MIMO directly. What's more, the improved calibration method outperforms the traditional calibration method under high-speed mobile environment.
Method for improved multiband excitation profiles using the Shinnar–Le Roux transform

A method to design multiband RF pulses for magnetic resonance imaging is described. The method is based on the Shinnar–Le Roux transform and involves a phase correction that provides control over the phase of the excited bands. The theory behind the method and this phase correction is outlined. The method is demonstrated with the design of RF pulses for Hadamard encoding and Haar wavelet encoding. Experimentally measured excitation profiles and images for RF pulses designed with the new method are compared to those designed by the conventional method. The conventional method is shown to result in distortion of the excitation profile when the bands are closely spaced. A 78% reduction in this distortion is attributed to the new method. This translates into a 52% reduction of out‐of‐slice signal in Haar wavelet encoding. Magn Reson Med 42:577–584, 1999. © 1999 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.