Simple Information Research Articles

Efficient privacy-preserving aggregation for demand side management of residential loads

An effective tool used in practice to maintain network balance is residential demand side management (DMS). However, privacy concerns related to the processing of user personal consumption data often result in a slow wide-scale adoption and acceptance. Various general purpose cryptographic techniques are available, such as homomorphic encryption and secure multi-party computation (MPC), to address these privacy-concerns. Unfortunately, these come at a significant computation price which makes them not applicable in many practical scenarios. In this work, a privacy-preserving aggregation algorithm, based on additive random shares and a combination of well-established symmetric and asymmetric key cryptography methods is proposed and compared with additive homomorphic encryption (AHE) techniques and state-of-the-art MPC protocols. The results show that generic techniques such as homomorphic encryption come with significant computational and communication cost, especially at the users side. On the other hand, MPC approaches provide better performance and resilience to dropouts for very large networks but entail a complex communication among users. In this context, the proposed additive random shares algorithm was the most balanced choice for DSM, with a good performance, simpler information flow and the possibility of adding redundant intermediary parties for enhanced resilience.

Data Transmission Reliability Analysis of Wireless Sensor Networks for Social Network Optimization

With the rapid development of the Internet in recent years, people are using the Internet less and less frequently. People publish and obtain information through various channels on the Internet, and online social networks have become one of the most important channels. Many nodes in social networks and frequent interactions between nodes create great difficulties for privacy protection, and some of the existing studies also have problems such as cumbersome computational steps and low efficiency. In this paper, we take the complex environment of social networks as the research background and focus on the key issues of mobile wireless sensor network reliability from the mobile wireless sensor networks that apply to large-scale, simpler information, and delay tolerance. By introducing intelligent learning methods and swarm intelligence bionic optimization algorithms, we address reliability issues such as mobile wireless sensor network fault prediction methods and topology reliability assessment methods in industrial application environments, the impact of mobile path optimization of mobile wireless sensor networks on data collection efficiency and network reliability, reliable data transmission based on data fusion methods, and intelligent fault tolerance strategies for multipath routing to ensure mobile wireless sensor networks operate energy-efficiently and reliably in complex industrial application environments.

Predicting Chronic Homelessness: The Importance of Comparing Algorithms using Client Histories

This paper investigates how to best compare algorithms for predicting chronic homelessness for the purpose of identifying good candidates for housing programs. Predictive methods can rapidly refer potentially chronic shelter users to housing but also sometimes incorrectly identify individuals who will not become chronic (false positives). We use shelter access histories to demonstrate that these false positives are often still good candidates for housing. Using this approach, we compare a simple threshold method for predicting chronic homelessness to the more complex logistic regression and neural network algorithms. While traditional binary classification performance metrics show that the machine learning algorithms perform better than the threshold technique, an examination of the shelter access histories of the cohorts identified by the three algorithms show that they select groups with very similar characteristics. This has important implications for resource constrained not-for-profit organizations since the threshold technique can be implemented using much simpler information technology infrastructure than the machine learning algorithms.

Effectively communicating comprehensive tumor genomic profiling results: Mitigating uncertainty for advanced cancer patients

ObjectiveTo understand advanced cancer patients’ experience of uncertainty when receiving comprehensive tumor genomic profiling (CTGP) results, and their perceptions of how healthcare provider (HCP) communication impacts uncertainty. MethodsThirty-seven semi-structured interviews with advanced cancer patients were conducted within two weeks of patients receiving CTGP results. Transcripts were thematically analyzed, using an inductive approach. ResultsWe identified three themes that illustrate patient experience of uncertainties when receiving CTGP results: 1. Type and degree of uncertainty fluctuates along with changing illness circumstances and the nature of the CTGP results; 2. HCPs’ co-ordination of care and communication shapes uncertainty, with immediate, clearer and simpler information promoting certainty; and 3. Patients felt that communicating results to reduce relatives’ uncertainty is important, with patients choosing the time and process for achieving this and desiring HCPs support. ConclusionOncology patients are confronted with an array of uncertainties. Clear, simple communication from HCPs about results and their implications, and support to manage uncertainty, will be of benefit. Practice implicationsIf CTGP is to become routine clinical practice, clear communication will be crucial in reducing uncertainty. Awareness of potential uncertainties experienced by patients when receiving results, will assist HCPs to address uncertainties, reduce uncertainty where possible, and offer targeted support to patients struggling with uncertainty.

Pengaruh Kerusakan Jack Hydraulic Terhadap Proses Bongkar Muat di MV. Sri Wandari Indah

Sea transportation is seen as the most effective means of responding to the high demand for a commodity. The development of industry 4.0 and society 5.0 has a big influence on the economic growth of a country. Loading and unloading must go well, so efforts are needed to ensure its implementation. Delay in unloading due to hydraulic leakage. The captain and guard officer as more experienced parties are expected to make efforts to prevent it. Coordinating work when unloading shows that the ship has followed procedures and efforts to repair hydraulic leaks. The method used by researchers to analyze problems is the fishbone analysis method. Research data obtained from primary data and secondary data, while data collection was obtained from observations, interviews, descriptive and literature. Fishbone analysis aims as an effort made to change the data from the results of a study into simpler information, so that it is easy to use to draw conclusions. Based on the results of this study, hydraulic maintenance was further improved and procurement of spare parts continued to be pursued by the ship. In addition, the company's management also affects the performance of the crew on the ship so that there is a need for improvement in the company's management of the ship.

Influences of Complexity on Decision Making in Young and Older Adults.

Leading theory hypothesizes that age deficits in decision making may rise as the complexity of decision-related information increases. This suggests that older adults would benefit relative to young adults from simplification of information used to inform decision making. Participants indicated political, nutritional and medical preferences and then chose between politicians, foods and medicines. The amount of information presented was systematically varied but age differences were largely similar for simple and complex trials. Paradoxically, the data showed that decisions based on simpler information could be less aligned with participant’s preferences than decisions based on more complex information. Further analyses suggested that participants may have been responding purely on the basis of their most valued preferences and that when information about those preferences was not presented, decision making became poorer. Contrary to our expectations, simplification of information by exclusion may therefore hinder decision making and may not particularly help older adults.

Effect of Porosity on Soil Permeability in the Flood Area of Padang City

The diversity of soil types in Indonesia causes the design of development to have to adjust its planning carefully in accordance with the type of soil, so that it is necessary to test the mechanical properties such as porosity, pore number, and density. In the city of Padang, there are several areas often flooded (flood). This associative study was conducted to reveal the relationship of the influence of porosity and permeability of the soil which is often inundated in the city of Padang. This research was conducted in May-June 2018 in the Soil Mechanics Labor Department of Civil Engineering FT UNP with soil samples in the area of Kampung Jambak Lubuk Buaya, Padang City. The analysis technique used the Microsoft Excel application to present data into simpler information and analyze the relationship using the Pearson Product Moment formula. The results of the study obtained soil porosity values of 63.53% (large porosity). Soil permeability value is 0.0000633 cm/second or 0.23 cm/hour (very slow). The effect of porosity on soil permeability in the Kampung Jambak Lubuk Buaya Padang City is 3.37% with t-count smaller than t-table or 0.324 <3.182 or insignificant.

Lektury bohaterek Jane Austen – utopijna edukacja sentymentalna czy ucieczka przed odpowiedzialnością?

The article is to describe an interesting phenomenon of the duplication of the literary patterns of behaviour among female protagonists created by Jane Austen. The subject of the paper is the analysis of the set books of the heroines invented by the British author in the both social and cultural context. Jane Austen’s novels can be regarded as the treasury of knowledge on the existence of the young girls at that time. The omnipresent conventions took away their right to dreams and self-fulfilment in almost every sphere of life. Lots of them found the coveted hope of improving their lives on the pages of overly aesthetic, sentimental novels. The characters from the books became inspirational among the female sex. The view of young ladies was based on their inner cultivation of the behaviour and mood which were inseparable from the girls from the popular romances. The patterns, continually given by fiction, took the place of humanistic and scientific knowledge, making the girls unaware – without the simplest information about the world. The subjects given in a wrong way by wrong teachers lowered their interest in education among youth, which also led to the popularity of sentimental, historical (especially those presenting the romance on the background of crucial events form the history of the given country) and Gothic novels. The text will concern the analysis of the attitude of the heroines created by the British author – on the basis of their set books and the position of Jane Austen in the range of literary criticism and the above-mentioned social phenomenon.

Fertility knowledge and associated empowerment following an educational intervention for adolescent cancer patients.

Fertility preservation is a major concern for adolescent cancer patients; yet, educational gaps remain. Our intervention study examined whether specially designed educational materials regarding fertility preservation increase knowledge and empowerment of patients and parents. Eleven paediatric-oncological centres in four European countries agreed to enrol all eligible patients and parents in a questionnaire survey at 3 and 6 months after diagnosis. Treating physicians were surveyed on their medical consultation regarding fertility. Educational intervention increased knowledge in both patients (n = 113 and n = 101 in the control and intervention groups, respectively) and parents (n = 111 and n = 99 in the control and intervention groups, respectively), but the difference did not achieve statistical significance (knowledge difference patients: 5.6% (t0)/13.1% (t1); parents: 6.4% (t0)/3.8% (t1)). Parents of older patients (OR = 1.3, 95%CI = 1.1-1.7) and higher educational groups (OR = 6.2, 95%CI = 2.1-18.3) in the intervention group (OR = 1.9, 95%CI = 1.03-3.7) achieved higher knowledge levels. Empowerment was significantly improved in both patients (p = 0.046, d = 0.27) and parents (p = 0.046, d = 0.48) in the intervention group. In our study, the use of specifically prepared flyers and brochures successfully raised the level of fertility preservation knowledge in parents of older patients as well as parents with higher educational levels. Overall, the intervention improved patient and parent empowerment. Subsequent projects will include simpler information and digital material to particularly reach out to younger and less educated individuals.

A predictive model for airflow in a typical solar chimney based on solar radiation

A solar chimney is an important green architectural element that aides the ventilation, heating and cooling of buildings. The proper design of a solar chimney requires a reliable model to estimate the airflow rate generated by solar radiation. Previous analytical models are based on inputs such as temperature, density or heat supply, which are difficult to predict the ventilation performance of a solar chimney at the preliminary design stage. This paper presents a new predictive model for the airflow rate in a typical solar chimney based on inputs such as incident solar radiation intensity and the emissivity of the glass cover considering both room and chimney cavity configurations. This model is developed after obtaining the predictive model of heat gain ratio of air in the gap. In the new predictive model, the airflow rate is expressed explicitly as a function of incident solar radiation intensity, internal heat source intensity, the emissivity of the glass cover and geometrical parameters. This model is verified by using experimental data in the literature. Simple in form, the predictive model has the potential to improve upon existing engineering designs. It is very convenient to estimate the ventilation performance of a solar chimney according to incident solar radiation intensity.

Pharmacotherapy Literacy and Parental Practice in Use of Over-the-Counter Pediatric Medicines.

Background and objectives: Pharmaceutical literacy skills of parents are crucial for appropriate and safe medication use in pre-school children (ages 1–7 years). A recent study on pharmacotherapy literacy from Serbia showed that one in five parents have difficulty understanding common information about the use of medicines. Because antipyretics are considered to be the most frequently used group of over-the-counter (OTC) medications during the pre-school period, we aimed to: (i) examine parental practice and expectations in antipyretic medication use, and (ii) analyze associations of parental practice and expectations related to socio-economic status and pharmacotherapy literacy. Materials and methods: A cross-sectional survey using a self- report validated specific instrument was conducted with the parents of pre-school children in kindergartens in Belgrade, Serbia. Pharmacotherapy literacy refers to the knowledge and personal skills needed to meet the complex demands of medicine use in both healthcare and non-healthcare settings. A comprehensive literature review, expert-focus group consultation, and pre-testing were employed in 4-item multiple-choice test development to explore practice and expectations related to the use of OTC pediatric antipyretic medicines. Results: The final analytical cohort was comprised of 813 participants, the majority (63.3%) chose a medicine based on a physician’s suggestion and only 15.4% of parents reported they would follow the advice of a pharmacist. More than a half of parents (54.1%) would need advice about antipyretic medicine from a pharmacist, firstly in a simpler language. Parents satisfied with the information given by a pharmacist had higher pharmacotherapy literacy, compared to parents with lower levels (OR–0.718, 95%CI (0.597–0.865), p < 0.001). Men had a higher expectation of pharmacists to explain medicine use in a simpler language (OR–1.630, 95%CI (1.063–2.501), p = 0.025), as well as parents with three or more children (OR–2.527, 95%CI (1.43–4.459), p = 0.001). Parents with higher knowledge about medicine use were less likely to ask for simpler information (OR–0,707; 95%CI (0,583–0,856), p < 0,001). Conclusions: Our main finding is that practice in antipyretic OTC medicine use was associated with levels of parental pharmacotherapy literacy. The expectations of pharmacists were higher among parents with lower levels of pharmacotherapy literacy, who expected more information in a simpler and more precise language. This study highlighted the need for pharmacists to identify risks in parental practice and to provide information about medicines to parents of pre-school children in a simpler and more appropriate way.

Desenvolvimento de um sistema para recomendação de calagem e adubação para as culturas de grãos

As recomendações de calagem e adubação para as diferentes culturas nas principais regiões produtoras do País fundamentam-se no conhecimento gerado por pesquisadores da área de ciências do solo. Tabelas de interpretação para os teores de nutrientes no solo e tabelas com as quantidade de nitrogênio, fósforo e potássio foram elaboradas para os diferentes manuais publicados em alguns estados/regiões. Sob a designação de AGROFERT, foi criado um sistema WEB que tem como objetivo integrar as informações dos sistemas de recomendação de corretivos e fertilizantes para os estados do Rio Grande do Sul/Santa Catariana e Paraná para as principais culturas de grãos e avaliar as evolução das características químicas do solo. O sistema apresenta uma base científica consistente, permitindo recomendações mais abrangentes e passíveis de contínuo aperfeiçoamento. Até o momento os diferentes sistemas de recomendação informatizados existentes são específicos para um único estado/região e trazem informações mais simplórias. O sistema Agrofert possibilita uma economia de tempo, pois seu uso dispensa calcular, corrigir e redigir recomendações pelo método tradicional (Manual).

Supervised forecasting of the range expansion of novel non‐indigenous organisms: Alien pest organisms and the 2009 H1N1 flu pandemic

AbstractAimWe propose a simple supervised method for forecasting the expansion of the geographical range of non‐indigenous species without any detailed information on the pathway mechanisms. The models currently used, such as metapopulation models, population dynamics [e.g., the susceptible‐infected‐recovered (SIR) model] with diffusion process, and models using individual‐based mechanisms, require specific parameters according to the assumed mechanisms. These parameters are difficult to obtain immediately after the first infestation is detected, although subsequent pandemics of novel pathogens and non‐indigenous pest organisms can be fatal to humans and damage agriculture and native ecosystems.InnovationA simple machine‐learning approach was developed. The future distribution of the target species was predicted by composing the spreading patterns of the previous range expansions of various alien species similar to the target species. A matrix representing the early–late relationship of infestation between regions was used to compare and compose various range expansion patterns. The eigenvector of the composed matrix gives the predicted order of infestation. Spreading speed was considered using the standard deviation of infestation dates, and future infestation dates were calculated by a reduced major axis with the eigenvector. In the feasibility assessment, the study area (Japan) was divided into many small regions (prefectures), and the dates of infestation in these regions were predicted. Our method successfully predicted the infestation dates of various alien species and the novel H1N1 influenza pandemic in 2009.Main conclusionsOur method is less complex and requires simpler information than other methods and is applicable to all organisms. Constructing a database of the range expansions of alien species, including novel pathogens and agricultural and environmental pests, at the global level and with high spatial resolution, such as at the county or city level, will facilitate the prediction of future range expansions of hazardous organisms.

Information access for event-driven smart grid controllers

Abstract Control of assets in electricity distribution grids is becoming an increasingly interesting solution to address challenges arising in the grid with an increasing penetration of distributed renewable energy generation. This paper looks at a voltage control scenario in low voltage (LV) distribution grids, which targets a reduction of over- and under voltage level situations by adjusting reactive power production of selected low voltage grid assets. The paper models different information access schemes between remote assets and controller, which is activated only when certain voltage thresholds have been crossed at any measurement point in the grid. We assess the information access methods on information reliability and how this affects control performance. We focus on two different information quality metrics; (1) information age and (2) mismatch probability, which are expressed via stochastic models. We investigate in this paper the suitability for using these two metrics for optimization in a voltage grid control scenario. We conclude that, while the mismatch probability is very useful compared to the simpler information age metric from a network designers and operators point of view in setting quality of service requirements, it is not as helpful for control engineers.

The Development of Indicator Cotton Swabs for the Detection of pH in Wounds.

Indicator cotton swabs have been developed in order to enable faster, less expensive, and simpler information gathering of a wound status. Swabs are normally used for cleaning the wound, but here, they were covalently functionalized with indicator chemistry. Thus, they in principle enable simultaneous wound cleaning and wound pH detection. Using an indicator dye with a color change from yellow to red, combined with an inert dye of blue color, a traffic light color change from green to red is induced when pH increases. The indicator cotton swabs (ICSs) show a color change from green (appropriate wound pH) to red (elevated wound pH). This color change can be interpreted by the naked eye as well as by an optical color measurement device in order to obtain quantitative data based on the CIE L*a*b* color space. Two types of swabs have been developed—indicator cotton swabs ICS1 with a sensitive range from pH 5 to 7 and swabs ICS2 with a sensitive range from 6.5 to 8.5. The swabs are gamma-sterilized and the effect of sterilization on performance was found to be negligible. Furthermore, cytotoxicity testing shows cell viability and endotoxin levels to be within the allowable range.

A new analytical model for airflow in solar chimneys based on thermal boundary layers

Solar Chimney is a potentially effective low carbon technique that uses solar energy to heat and cool buildings or to enhance ventilation. Proper design of a solar chimney requires a reliable model to estimate the airflow rate generated by the heat of solar irradiation. Existing analytical models ignore density variations either for the whole channel or across the channel gap. This paper presents a plume model based on energy balances and the thermal boundary theory and thus considered density variations in both horizontal and vertical directions. This plume model, expressed implicitly as a function of heat flux, can be solved easily through simple iterations. The performance of the model was verified by using experimental data in the literature. Results show that the plume model outperformed existing analytical models. Recognizing the challenges in airflow measurement, we suggest that further tests and calibrations of this plume model be done by using more concrete and accurate experimental data. Simple in form, the plume model has its potential in building simulation programs.

Effect of Laser-Induced Heating on Raman Measurement within a Silicon Microfluidic Channel

When Raman microscopy is adopted to detect the chemical and biological processes in the silicon microfluidic channel, the laser-induced heating effect will cause a temperature rise in the sample liquid. This undesired temperature rise will mislead the Raman measurement during the temperature-influencing processes. In this paper, computational fluid dynamics simulations were conducted to evaluate the maximum local temperature-rise (MLT). Through the orthogonal analysis, the sensitivity of potential influencing parameters to the MLT was determined. In addition, it was found from transient simulations that it is reasonable to assume the actual measurement to be steady-state. Simulation results were qualitatively validated by experimental data from the Raman measurement of diffusion, a temperature-dependent process. A correlation was proposed for the first time to estimate the MLT. Simple in form and convenient for calculation, this correlation can be efficiently applied to Raman measurement in a silicon microfluidic channel.

La iglesia de San Miguel en Caltojar. El Románico en transición

The church of San Miguel in Caltojar belongs to a large group of Romanesque architecture sited in the province of Soria. Simple in form and scale, only the sculpture of its southern main door has been approached by those few researchers engaged in its study. However, this building owns a sequence with two original building phases, dated to the late 12 th and early 13 th centuries, and numerous later modifications, standing out the vaults of the naves introduced in the modern period, not in the medieval one as it had been hitherto thought.

Providing information about options in patient decision aids.

BackgroundLegal, ethical, and psychological arguments indicate that patients need to receive information about their health situations before their care decisions are made. Patient decision aids (PtDAs) are designed to help patients make decisions; therefore, they should provide information that results in patients understanding their health situation. We reviewed studies that assessed the impact of PtDAs on patient knowledge and on their feeling of being uninformed.MethodsOur data sources were a published Cochrane Collaboration review that included randomized controlled trials (RCTs) published before 2010 and a systematic review we conducted of RCTs published in 2010. We included trials that compared 1) PtDAs to usual care, and 2) PtDAs with simple information to PtDAs with more detailed information. Outcomes included patients' knowledge and their feeling of being uninformed. Data were analyzed quantitatively and qualitatively. Meta-analyses of similar studies estimated the size of differences.ResultsThirty-nine RCTs compared a PtDA to usual care and all showed higher knowledge scores for patients in the PtDA groups; a meta-analysis estimated the advantage at 14 (of 100) points. Sixteen (of 39) studies used the Feeling Uninformed subscale; a meta-analysis estimated a reduction of 7 (of 100) points in the PtDA group over usual care. Twenty-one studies compared simple- to more-detailed information in PtDAs. There was a small overall advantage for more detailed information on knowledge scores; a meta-analysis estimated the advantage at 5 (of 100) points. Only one study found higher mean knowledge scores for simpler information. Nine (of 21) studies reported using the Feeling Uninformed subscale and a meta-analysis suggested a reduction of 3 (of 100) points for the more-detailed PtDAs over those with simpler information. Only one study found that simpler information resulted in patients feeling more informed.ConclusionsIt appears that PtDAs result in patients having higher knowledge scores and in reduced feelings of being uninformed over patients who receive usual care. It also appears that PtDAs with more detailed information generally result in slightly higher knowledge and lower “Feeling Uninformed” scores than those with simpler information, but the differences are small and can be reversed under some circumstances.

Indirect rival assessment in a social primate, Theropithecus gelada

Identifying the cognitive challenges of sociality can be difficult because similar social interactions may be based on very different cognitive mechanisms. To better understand the cognitive mechanisms associated with a particular interaction, we investigated the social information that gelada, Theropithecus gelada, bachelors use to assess rival males. Gelada bachelors may use a variety of assessment strategies, including attending to simple cues of immanent mating opportunities, vocal quality signals, and monitoring relationships between attached males and females. Our observational data indicate that bachelors preferentially eavesdrop on male–male fights (over copulations) and maintain close proximity to units that have experienced a recent take-over. As such units also experience elevated rates of fighting and extrapair copulations, bachelors appear to attend to cues of mating opportunities. Furthermore, bachelors monitor vocal contests between rival males, suggesting they are able to remember the quality displayed by competitors. Finally, we used playback experiments to simulate copulations between breeding males and ‘their’ females (control) or other females (test) and found no difference in bachelor response, suggesting a lack of knowledge about third-party relationships between males and females. In contrast to other social primates, gelada bachelors appear to use simpler information, such as outcomes of male–male competition, when assessing others. Given the size of gelada communities (>1000 individuals), the costs of monitoring third-party relationships may outweigh the benefits of obtaining this information, particularly when simpler rules of thumb are available.