Showing papers by "Florida Atlantic University published in 2011"

Information privacy research: an interdisciplinary review

Abstract: To date, many important threads of information privacy research have developed, but these threads have not been woven together into a cohesive fabric. This paper provides an interdisciplinary review of privacy-related research in order to enable a more cohesive treatment. With a sample of 320 privacy articles and 128 books and book sections, we classify previous literature in two ways: (1) using an ethics-based nomenclature of normative, purely descriptive, and empirically descriptive, and (2) based on their level of analysis: individual, group, organizational, and societal. Based upon our analyses via these two classification approaches, we identify three major areas in which previous research contributions reside: the conceptualization of information privacy, the relationship between information privacy and other constructs, and the contextual nature of these relationships. As we consider these major areas, we draw three overarching conclusions. First, there are many theoretical developments in the body of normative and purely descriptive studies that have not been addressed in empirical research on privacy. Rigorous studies that either trace processes associated with, or test implied assertions from, these value-laden arguments could add great value. Second, some of the levels of analysis have received less attention in certain contexts than have others in the research to date. Future empirical studies-both positivist and interpretive--could profitably be targeted to these under-researched levels of analysis. Third, positivist empirical studies will add the greatest value if they focus on antecedents to privacy concerns and on actual outcomes. In that light, we recommend that researchers be alert to an overarching macro model that we term APCO (Antecedents → Privacy Concerns → Outcomes).

Augmented reality technologies, systems and applications

Abstract: This paper surveys the current state-of-the-art of technology, systems and applications in Augmented Reality. It describes work performed by many different research groups, the purpose behind each new Augmented Reality system, and the difficulties and problems encountered when building some Augmented Reality applications. It surveys mobile augmented reality systems challenges and requirements for successful mobile systems. This paper summarizes the current applications of Augmented Reality and speculates on future applications and where current research will lead Augmented Reality's development. Challenges augmented reality is facing in each of these applications to go from the laboratories to the industry, as well as the future challenges we can forecast are also discussed in this paper. Section 1 gives an introduction to what Augmented Reality is and the motivations for developing this technology. Section 2 discusses Augmented Reality Technologies with computer vision methods, AR devices, interfaces and systems, and visualization tools. The mobile and wireless systems for Augmented Reality are discussed in Section 3. Four classes of current applications that have been explored are described in Section 4. These applications were chosen as they are the most famous type of applications encountered when researching AR apps. The future of augmented reality and the challenges they will be facing are discussed in Section 5.

Measuring Hofstede's Five Dimensions of Cultural Values at the Individual Level: Development and Validation of CVSCALE

Abstract: Hofstede's (1980 and 2001) renowned five-dimensional measure of cultural values is the overwhelmingly dominant metric of culture. His measure has been used as a contextual variable, but it is often required to directly measure cultural values for individual consumers or managers. The purpose of this research is to respond to the call for developing a psychometrically sound measure of Hofstede's culture at the individual level. Past research in this area has developed a scale for only one of Hofstede's dimensions, a highly work-oriented scale, or a scale with poor reliability. By overcoming every major weakness of past studies, this research offers CVSCALE, a 26-item five-dimensional scale of individual cultural values that assesses Hofstede's cultural dimensions at the individual level. The scale shows adequate reliability, validity, and across-sample and across-national generalizability.

Information privacy concerns: Linking individual perceptions with institutional privacy assurances

Abstract: Organizational information practices can result in a variety of privacy problems that can increase consumers’ concerns for information privacy. To explore the link between individuals and organizations regarding privacy, we study how institutional privacy assurances such as privacy policies and industry self-regulation can contribute to reducing individual privacy concerns. Drawing on Communication Privacy Management (CPM) theory, we develop a research model suggesting that an individual’s privacy concerns form through a cognitive process involving perceived privacy risk, privacy control, and his or her disposition to value privacy. Furthermore, individuals’ perceptions of institutional privacy assurances -namely, perceived effectiveness of privacy policies and perceived effectiveness of industry privacy self-regulation -are posited to affect the riskcontrol assessment from information disclosure, thus, being an essential component of privacy concerns. We empirically tested the research model through a survey that was administered to 823 users of four different types of websites: 1) electronic commerce sites, 2) social networking sites, 3) financial sites, and 4) healthcare sites. The results provide support for the majority of the hypothesized relationships. The study reported here is novel to the extent that existing empirical research has not explored the link between individuals’ privacy perceptions and institutional privacy assurances. We discuss implications for theory and practice and provide suggestions for future research.

Properties of dual language exposure that influence 2-year-olds' bilingual proficiency.

Abstract: The mothers of 29 Spanish English bilingual 25-month-olds kept diary records of their children’s dual language exposure and provided information on their children’s English and Spanish language development using the MacArthur–Bates inventories. Relative amount of exposure predicted language outcomes in English and Spanish. In addition, the number of different speakers from whom the children heard English and the percent of their English input that was provided by native speakers were unique sources of variance in children’s English skills. These properties of children’s dual language exposure and their bilingual proficiency varied as a function of whether the children’s mother, father, or both parents were native Spanish speakers. Practical and theoretical implications are discussed.

Constellations of Institutional Logics Changes in the Professional Work of Pharmacists

Abstract: Drawing on the professions and institutional literature, we develop theory about how professional work can reflect multiple institutional logics by ana- lyzing changes in the work of pharmacists over time. Through a historical case study of U.S. pharmacists from 1852 to the present, we propose a new conceptualization of professionals and professional work as guided by a con- stellation of logics derived from broader society. We show that both com- petitive (segmenting) and cooperative (facilitative or additive) relationships among coexisting logics allow for the simultaneous influence of multiple log- ics on professionals and their work.

Parental Involvement: The Missing Link in School Achievement

Abstract: The value of parental participation is widely accepted, but participation is difficult to promote and maintain. Schools are becoming more diverse, and a great challenge facing educators is meeting the needs of all students. Closing the achievement gap and increasing student learning requires the collaboration of various interested groups, most notably parents. Families play an important role in creating a school that meets their child's needs, yet teachers admit they have little information or training on how to effectively work with diverse parents. In this article, numerous strategies for addressing barriers to school involvement and participation are presented. Methods for using families' cultures and experiences are also explored as a base for new learning and understanding.

Traditional and Nontraditional Bullying Among Youth: A Test of General Strain Theory

Abstract: Bullying at school is a common problem facing youth, school officials, and parents. A significant body of research has detailed the serious consequences associated with bullying victimization. Recently, however, a new permutation has arisen and arguably become even more problematic. Cyberbullying, as it has been termed, occurs when youth use technology as an instrument to harass their peers--via email, in chat rooms, on social networking Web sites, and with text messaging through their computer or cell phone. The current study seeks to shed light on the potential causes of both variants of adolescent aggression by employing the arguments of Agnew's (1992) general strain theory as a guiding framework. Results suggest that those who experience strain are more likely to participate in both traditional and nontraditional forms of bullying. Implications of these findings and suggestions for further research in this growing area of study are also discussed.

Interventions to reduce hospitalizations from nursing homes: evaluation of the INTERACT II collaborative quality improvement project.

Abstract: A substantial proportion of hospitalizations of nursing home (NH) residents may be avoidable. Medicare payment reforms, such as bundled payments for episodes of care and value-based purchasing, will change incentives that favor hospitalization but could result in care quality problems if NHs lack the resources and training to identify and manage acute conditions proactively. Interventions to Reduce Acute Care Transfers (INTERACT) II is a quality improvement intervention that includes a set of tools and strategies designed to assist NH staff in early identification, assessment, communication, and documentation about changes in resident status. INTERACT II was evaluated in 25 NHs in three states in a 6-month quality improvement initiative that provided tools, on-site education, and teleconferences every 2 weeks facilitated by an experienced nurse practitioner. There was a 17% reduction in self-reported hospital admissions in these 25 NHs from the same 6-month period in the previous year. The group of 17 NHs rated as engaged in the initiative had a 24% reduction, compared with 6% in the group of eight NHs rated as not engaged and 3% in a comparison group of 11 NHs. The average cost of the 6-month implementation was $7,700 per NH. The projected savings to Medicare in a 100-bed NH were approximately $125,000 per year. Despite challenges in implementation and caveats about the accuracy of self-reported hospitalization rates and the characteristics of the participating NHs, the trends in these results suggest that INTERACT II should be further evaluated in randomized controlled trials to determine its effect on avoidable hospitalizations and their related morbidity and cost.

Augmented Reality: An Overview

Abstract: We define Augmented Reality (AR) as a real-time direct or indirect view of a physical real-world environment that has been enhanced/augmented by adding virtual computer-generated information to it [1]. AR is both interactive and registered in 3D as well as combines real and virtual objects. Milgram’s Reality-Virtuality Continuum is defined by Paul Milgram and Fumio Kishino as a continuum that spans between the real environment and the virtual environment comprise Augmented Reality and Augmented Virtuality (AV) in between, where AR is closer to the real world and AV is closer to a pure virtual environment, as seen in Fig. 1.1 [2].

Does deterrence work in reducing information security policy abuse by employees

Abstract: Methods for evaluating and effectively managing the security behavior of employees.

Unsupervised image segmentation evaluation and refinement using a multi-scale approach

Abstract: In this study, a multi-scale approach is used to improve the segmentation of a high spatial resolution (30 cm) color infrared image of a residential area. First, a series of 25 image segmentations are performed in Definiens Professional 5 using different scale parameters. The optimal image segmentation is identified using an unsupervised evaluation method of segmentation quality that takes into account global intra-segment and inter-segment heterogeneity measures (weighted variance and Moran’s I, respectively). Once the optimal segmentation is determined, under-segmented and over-segmented regions in this segmentation are identified using local heterogeneity measures (variance and Local Moran’s I). The under- and over-segmented regions are refined by (1) further segmenting under-segmented regions at finer scales, and (2) merging over-segmented regions with spectrally similar neighbors. This process leads to the creation of several segmentations consisting of segments generated at three different segmentation scales. Comparison of single- and multi-scale segmentations shows that identifying and refining under- and over-segmented regions using local statistics can improve global segmentation results.

Comparing Boosting and Bagging Techniques With Noisy and Imbalanced Data

Abstract: This paper compares the performance of several boosting and bagging techniques in the context of learning from imbalanced and noisy binary-class data. Noise and class imbalance are two well-established data characteristics encountered in a wide range of data mining and machine learning initiatives. The learning algorithms studied in this paper, which include SMOTEBoost, RUSBoost, Exactly Balanced Bagging, and Roughly Balanced Bagging, combine boosting or bagging with data sampling to make them more effective when data are imbalanced. These techniques are evaluated in a comprehensive suite of experiments, for which nearly four million classification models were trained. All classifiers are assessed using seven different performance metrics, providing a complete perspective on the performance of these techniques, and results are tested for statistical significance via analysis-of-variance modeling. The experiments show that the bagging techniques generally outperform boosting, and hence in noisy data environments, bagging is the preferred method for handling class imbalance.

The Sagittarius impact as an architect of spirality and outer rings in the Milky Way

Abstract: Since its discovery more than a decade ago, the Sagittarius dwarf galaxy (Sgr), a satellite galaxy of our own Milky Way, has been recognized as a local analogue to the numerous mergers thought to be common in galaxies throughout the Universe. Traditionally, Sgr has been treated as a negligible perturber to the Galactic disk. New simulations of the response of the Milky Way to the infall of the Sgr reveal that, on the contrary, Sgr has played an important part in shaping the disk morphology. Past impacts have triggered the formation of spiral structure and influenced bar evolution. Like many galaxies of its size, the Milky Way is a disk with prominent spiral arms rooted in a central bar1, although our knowledge of its structure and origin is incomplete. Traditional attempts to understand our Galaxy’s morphology assume that it has been unperturbed by major external forces. Here we report simulations of the response of the Milky Way to the infall of the Sagittarius2 dwarf galaxy (Sgr), which results in the formation of spiral arms, influences the central bar and produces a flared outer disk. Two ring-like wrappings emerge towards the Galactic anti-Centre in our model that are reminiscent of the low-latitude arcs observed in the same area of the Milky Way. Previous models have focused on Sgr itself3,4 to reproduce the dwarf’s orbital history and place associated constraints on the shape of the Milky Way gravitational potential, treating the Sgr impact event as a trivial influence on the Galactic disk. Our results show that the Milky Way’s morphology is not purely secular in origin and that low-mass minor mergers predicted to be common throughout the Universe5 probably have a similarly important role in shaping galactic structure.

Choosing software metrics for defect prediction: an investigation on feature selection techniques

Abstract: The selection of software metrics for building software quality prediction models is a search-based software engineering problem. An exhaustive search for such metrics is usually not feasible due to limited project resources, especially if the number of available metrics is large. Defect prediction models are necessary in aiding project managers for better utilizing valuable project resources for software quality improvement. The efficacy and usefulness of a fault-proneness prediction model is only as good as the quality of the software measurement data. This study focuses on the problem of attribute selection in the context of software quality estimation. A comparative investigation is presented for evaluating our proposed hybrid attribute selection approach, in which feature ranking is first used to reduce the search space, followed by a feature subset selection. A total of seven different feature ranking techniques are evaluated, while four different feature subset selection approaches are considered. The models are trained using five commonly used classification algorithms. The case study is based on software metrics and defect data collected from multiple releases of a large real-world software system. The results demonstrate that while some feature ranking techniques performed similarly, the automatic hybrid search algorithm performed the best among the feature subset selection methods. Moreover, performances of the defect prediction models either improved or remained unchanged when over 85were eliminated. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Does Audit Market Concentration Harm the Quality of Audited Earnings? Evidence from Audit Markets in 42 Countries

Abstract: Audit regulators around the world have expressed concern over market dominance by Big 4 accounting firms and the potential adverse effect it may have on the quality of audited financial statements. We use cross-country variation in the audit market structure of 42 countries to examine two separate aspects of Big 4 dominance: (1) Big 4 market concentration as a group relative to non-Big 4 auditors; and (2) concentration within the Big 4 group in which one or more of the Big 4 firms is dominant relative to the other Big 4 firms. We find that in countries where the Big 4 (as a group) conduct more listed company audits, both Big 4 and non-Big 4 clients have higher quality audited earnings compared to clients in countries with smaller Big 4 market shares. In contrast, in countries where there is a greater concentration within the Big 4 group, we find that Big 4 clients have lower quality audited earnings compared to countries with more evenly distributed market shares among the Big 4. Thus concentration within the Big 4 group appears to be detrimental to audit quality in a country and of legitimate concern to regulators and policymakers. However, Big 4 dominance per se does not appear to harm audit quality and is in fact associated with higher earnings quality, after controlling for other country characteristics that potentially affect earnings quality.

Gender and Adolescent Development.

Abstract: This article summarizes and critiques recent trends in research and theory on the role of gender in adolescent development. First, gender differences in key areas of adolescent functioning are reviewed. Second, research on 3 constructs that are especially relevant to the investigation of within-gender individual differences in gender phenomena—gender typing, gender stereotypes, and gender identity—is discussed. Third, trends in theories of gender differentiation are identified. Throughout, issues of conceptualization and of methodology are discussed, and directions for future research are offered.

Experimental drying intensifies burning and carbon losses in a northern peatland

Abstract: Peatlands are a sink for atmospheric carbon dioxide and make up a large soil carbon reservoir. Here, studies of the interaction between drainage and fire show that long-term carbon emissions will likely exceed rates of carbon uptake, reducing the northern peatland carbon sink.

Resource Allocation for Wireless Multiuser OFDM Networks

Abstract: Resource allocation issues are investigated in this paper for multiuser wireless transmissions based on orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM). Relying on convex and stochastic optimization tools, the novel approach to resource allocation includes: i) development of jointly optimal subcarrier, power, and rate allocation for weighted sum-average-rate maximization; ii) judicious formulation and derivation of the optimal resource allocation for maximizing the utility of average user rates; and iii) development of the stochastic resource allocation schemes, and rigorous proof of their convergence and optimality. Simulations are also provided to demonstrate the merits of the novel schemes.

Reducing Unnecessary Hospitalizations of Nursing Home Residents

Abstract: Studies suggest that many hospitalizations of U.S. nursing home residents are inappropriate, avoidable, or related to conditions that could be treated outside hospitals — and they cost over $4 billion per year. But the causes of these hospitalizations are complex.

The effect of bilingualism and age on inhibitory control

Abstract: Bilingualism may provide an advantage to older adults on inhibitory control tasks. This study examined the effects of bilingualism (balanced and non-balanced) on inhibitory control using simple and complex Simon tasks with samples of younger and older Spanish—English bilinguals (N = 125) and English monolinguals (N = 108). Results revealed a bilingual advantage on the simple task but not on the complex Simon task. Results suggest that bilingualism increases skills that are associated with selective attention when working memory demands are low.

Transfer Effects in Large Acquisitions: How Size-Specific Experience Matters

Abstract: We examine whether size-specific experience influences performance following large related, domestic acquisitions. Supporting a transfer theory of learning, our results suggest that although prior ...

A twenty-first century assessment of values across the global workforce

Abstract: This article provides current Schwartz Values Survey (SVS) data from samples of business managers and professionals across 50 societies that are culturally and socioeconomically diverse. We report the society scores for SVS values dimensions for both individual- and societal-level analyses. At the individual-level, we report on the ten circumplex values sub-dimensions and two sets of values dimensions (collectivism and individualism; openness to change, conservation, self-enhancement, and self-transcendence). At the societal-level, we report on the values dimensions of embeddedness, hierarchy, mastery, affective autonomy, intellectual autonomy, egalitarianism, and harmony. For each society, we report the Cronbach’s α statistics for each values dimension scale to assess their internal consistency (reliability) as well as report interrater agreement (IRA) analyses to assess the acceptability of using aggregated individual level values scores to represent country values. We also examined whether societal development level is related to systematic variation in the measurement and importance of values. Thus, the contributions of our evaluation of the SVS values dimensions are two-fold. First, we identify the SVS dimensions that have cross-culturally internally reliable structures and within-society agreement for business professionals. Second, we report the society cultural values scores developed from the twenty-first century data that can be used as macro-level predictors in multilevel and single-level international business research.

Mutations in FYCO1 Cause Autosomal-Recessive Congenital Cataracts

Abstract: Congenital cataracts (CCs), responsible for about one-third of blindness in infants, are a major cause of vision loss in children worldwide. Autosomal-recessive congenital cataracts (arCC) form a clinically diverse and genetically heterogeneous group of disorders of the crystalline lens. To identify the genetic cause of arCC in consanguineous Pakistani families, we performed genome-wide linkage analysis and fine mapping and identified linkage to 3p21-p22 with a summed LOD score of 33.42. Mutations in the gene encoding FYVE and coiled-coil domain containing 1 (FYCO1), a PI(3)P-binding protein family member that is associated with the exterior of autophagosomes and mediates microtubule plus-end-directed vesicle transport, were identified in 12 Pakistani families and one Arab Israeli family in which arCC had previously been mapped to the overlapping CATC2 region. Nine different mutations were identified, including c.3755 delC (p.Ala1252AspfsX71), c.3858_3862dupGGAAT (p.Leu1288TrpfsX37), c.1045 C>T (p.Gln349X), c.2206C>T (p.Gln736X), c.2761C>T (p.Arg921X), c.2830C>T (p.Arg944X), c.3150+1 G>T, c.4127T>C (p.Leu1376Pro), and c.1546C>T (p.Gln516X). Fyco1 is expressed in the mouse embryonic and adult lens and peaks at P12d. Expressed mutant proteins p.Leu1288TrpfsX37 and p.Gln736X are truncated on immunoblots. Wild-type and p.L1376P FYCO1, the only missense mutant identified, migrate at the expected molecular mass. Both wild-type and p. Leu1376Pro FYCO1 proteins expressed in human lens epithelial cells partially colocalize to microtubules and are found adjacent to Golgi, but they primarily colocalize to autophagosomes. Thus, FYCO1 is involved in lens development and transparency in humans, and mutations in this gene are one of the most common causes of arCC in the Pakistani population.

Knockdown of BACE1-AS Nonprotein-Coding Transcript Modulates Beta-Amyloid-Related Hippocampal Neurogenesis.

Abstract: Background. Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a devastating neurological disorder and the main cause of dementia in the elderly population worldwide. Adult neurogenesis appears to be upregulated very early in AD pathogenesis in response to some specific aggregates of beta-amyloid (Aβ) peptides, exhausting the neuronal stem cell pools in the brain. Previously, we characterized a conserved nonprotein-coding antisense transcript for β-secretase-1 (BACE1), a critical enzyme in AD pathophysiology. We showed that the BACE1-antisense transcript (BACE1-AS) is markedly upregulated in brain samples from AD patients and promotes the stability of the (sense) BACE1 transcript. In the current paper, we examine the relationship between BACE1, BACE1-AS, adult neurogenesis markers, and amyloid plaque formation in amyloid precursor protein (APP) transgenic mice (Tg-19959) of various ages. Results. Consistent with previous publications in other APP overexpressing mouse models, we found adult neurogenesis markers to be noticeably upregulated in Tg-19959 mice very early in the development of the disease. Knockdown of either one of BACE1 or BACE1-AS transcripts by continuous infusion of locked nucleic acid- (LNA-) modified siRNAs into the third ventricle over the period of two weeks caused concordant downregulation of both transcripts in Tg-19959 mice. Downregulation of BACE1 mRNA was followed by reduction of BACE1 protein and insoluble Aβ. Modulation of BACE1 and BACE1-AS transcripts also altered oligomeric Aβ aggregation pattern, which was in turn associated with an increase in neurogenesis markers at the RNA and protein level. Conclusion. We found alterations in the RNA and protein concentrations of several adult neurogenesis markers, as well as non-protein-coding BACE1-AS transcripts, in parallel with the course of β-amyloid synthesis and aggregation in the brain of Tg15999 mice. In addition, by knocking down BACE1 or BACE1-AS (thereby reducing Aβ production and plaque deposition), we were able to modulate expression of these neurogenesis markers. Our findings suggest a distortion of adult neurogenesis that is associated with Aβ production very early in amyloid pathogenesis. We believe that these alterations, at the molecular level, could prove useful as novel therapeutic targets and/or as early biomarkers of AD.

Gender differences in cognitive development.

Abstract: The potential effect of gender on intellectual abilities remains controversial. The purpose of this research was to analyze gender differences in cognitive test performance among children from continuous age groups. For this purpose, the normative data from 7 domains of the newly developed neuropsychological test battery, the Evaluacion Neuropsicologica Infantil [Child Neuropsychological Assessment] (Matute, Rosselli, Ardila, & Ostrosky-Solis, 2007), were analyzed. The sample included 788 monolingual children (350 boys, 438 girls) ages 5 to 16 years from Mexico and Colombia. Gender differences were observed in oral language (language expression and language comprehension), spatial abilities (recognition of pictures seen from different angles), and visual (Object Integration Test) and tactile perceptual tasks, with boys outperforming girls in most cases, except for the tactile tasks. Gender accounted for only a very small percentage of the variance (1%-3%). Gender x Age interactions were observed for the tactile tasks only. It was concluded that gender differences during cognitive development are minimal, appear in only a small number of tests, and account for only a low percentage of the score variance.

Genetic variation shapes protein networks mainly through non-transcriptional mechanisms.

Abstract: Networks of co-regulated transcripts in genetically diverse populations have been studied extensively, but little is known about the degree to which these networks cause similar co-variation at the protein level. We quantified 354 proteins in a genetically diverse population of yeast segregants, which allowed for the first time construction of a coherent protein co-variation matrix. We identified tightly co-regulated groups of 36 and 93 proteins that were made up predominantly of genes involved in ribosome biogenesis and amino acid metabolism, respectively. Even though the ribosomal genes were tightly co-regulated at both the protein and transcript levels, genetic regulation of proteins was entirely distinct from that of transcripts, and almost no genes in this network showed a significant correlation between protein and transcript levels. This result calls into question the widely held belief that in yeast, as opposed to higher eukaryotes, ribosomal protein levels are regulated primarily by regulating transcript levels. Furthermore, although genetic regulation of the amino acid network was more similar for proteins and transcripts, regression analysis demonstrated that even here, proteins vary predominantly as a result of non-transcriptional variation. We also found that cis regulation, which is common in the transcriptome, is rare at the level of the proteome. We conclude that most inter-individual variation in levels of these particular high abundance proteins in this genetically diverse population is not caused by variation of their underlying transcripts.