How resilient is the open web to the COVID-19 pandemic?

In this paper we refer to the Open Web to the set of services offered freely to Internet users, representing a pillar of modern societies. Despite its importance for society, it is unknown how the COVID-19 pandemic is affecting the Open Web. In this paper, we address this issue, focusing our analysis on Spain, one of the countries which have been most impacted by the pandemic.On the one hand, we study the impact of the pandemic in the financial backbone of the Open Web, the online advertising business. To this end, we leverage concepts from Supply–Demand economic theory to perform a careful analysis of the elasticity in the supply of ad-spaces to the financial shortage of the online advertising business and its subsequent reduction in ad spaces’ price. On the other hand, we analyze the distribution of the Open Web composition across business categories and its evolution during the COVID-19 pandemic. These analyses are conducted between Jan 1st and Dec 31st, 2020, using a reference dataset comprising information from more than 18 billion ad spaces.Our results indicate that the Open Web has experienced a moderate shift in its composition across business categories. However, this change is not produced by the financial shortage of the online advertising business, because as our analysis shows, the Open Web’s supply of ad spaces is inelastic (i.e., insensitive) to the sustained low-price of ad spaces during the pandemic. Instead, existing evidence suggests that the reported shift in the Open Web composition is likely due to the change in the users’ online behavior (e.g., browsing and mobile apps utilization patterns).     

A surrogate model to assess the whole body SAR induced by multiple plane waves at 2.4?GHz

The assessment of the exposure to electromagnetic waves is nowadays a key question. Dealing with the relationship between exposure and incident field, most of previous investigations have been performed with a single plane wave. Realistic exposure in the far field can be modeled as multiple plane waves with random direction of arrival, random amplitude, and random phase. This paper, based on numerical investigations, studies the whole body specific absorption rate (SAR) linked to the exposure induced by five random plane waves having uniformly distributed angles of arrival in the horizontal plane, log-normal distributed amplitudes, and uniformly distributed phases. A first result shows that this random heterogeneous exposure generates maximal variations of ??25% for the whole body specific absorption. An important observation is that the exposure to a single plane wave arriving face to the body, used for the guidelines, does not constitute the worst case. We propose a surrogate model to assess the distribution of the whole body SAR in the case of an exposure to multiple plane waves. For a sample of 30 values of whole body SAR induced by five plane waves at 2.4?GHz, this simple approach, considering the resulting SAR as the sum of the SAR induced by each isolated plane wave, leads to an estimated distribution of whole body SAR following the real distribution with a p value of 76% according to the Kolmogorov statistical test.     

How do technologies relate to the repertoire of information sources?

This study applies “channel repertoire” to information sources. Interviews were conducted with 251 residents of Pullman, Washington, and Moscow, Idaho, in which respondents were asked to assess how interested they were in two topics (sports and what's going on in the community) along with how useful traditional media sources (tv, radio, etc.) and technologies (VCR, PC, etc.) were for information about each source. Based on a regression that controlled for demographics, separate repertoires were found for each topic. Sports had only a traditional media repertoire that consisted of tv and newspapers while what's going on in the community had a combined traditional and technology repertoire of newspapers, radios, personal computers, and cellular telephones.     

How Many Test Vectors We Need to Detect a Bridging Fault?

The growing dispersion of ICs’ parameters poses relevant uncertainties on gate output conductances and logic thresholds which play a main role in bridging fault detection. In this evolving context, the quality of fault simulation and test generation tools making use of nominal parameters should be verified. To analyze this problem we have studied bridging fault detection in combinational ICs in the presence of growing variations of IC’s parameters. Results show that a single test is not sufficient to ensure acceptable escape probabilities. Conversely, the minimal number of test vectors required to provide a null escape probability is upper bounded with respect to variations in the standard deviation of IC’s parameters. This result has been verified by means of Monte Carlo electrical level simulation. We propose a method to derive these minimal test sets in the case of low frequency tests. A fault simulator and a test generator have been developed supporting the search of minimal test sets targeting a null escape probability. These tools have been applied to a set of combinational benchmarks.

How Many Queries are Needed to Distinguish a Truncated Random Permutation from a Random Function?

An oracle chooses a function f from the set of n bits strings to itself, which is either a randomly chosen permutation or a randomly chosen function. When queried by an n-bit string w, the oracle computes f(w), truncates the m last bits, and returns only the first \(n-m\) bits of f(w). How many queries does a querying adversary need to submit in order to distinguish the truncated permutation from the (truncated) function? In Hall et al. (Building PRFs from PRPs, Springer, Berlin, 1998) showed an algorithm for determining (with high probability) whether or not f is a permutation, using \(O(2^{\frac{m+n}{2}})\) queries. They also showed that if \(m < n/7\), a smaller number of queries will not suffice. For \(m > n/7\), their method gives a weaker bound. In this note, we first show how a modification of the approximation method used by Hall et al. can solve the problem completely. It extends the result to practically any m, showing that \(\varOmega (2^{\frac{m+n}{2}})\) queries are needed to get a non-negligible distinguishing advantage. However, more surprisingly, a better bound for the distinguishing advantage, which we can write, in a simplified form, as \(O\left( \min \left\{ \frac{q^2}{2^n},\,\frac{q}{2^{\frac{n+m}{2}}},\,1\right\} \right) ,\) can be obtained from a result of Stam published, in a different context, already in 1978. We also show that, at least in some cases, this bound is tight.     

How to achieve the huggable behavior of the social robot Probo? A reflection on the actuators

Most robots have a mechanical look or are covered with plastic or metallic shells. Their actuators are stiff which gives them not only an unnatural look, but also an unnatural touch. The goal of the huggable robot Probo is to serve as robotic research platform for human-robot interaction (HRI) studies with a special focus on children. Since not only cognitive interaction, but also physical interaction is targeted a new mechatronic design must be developed. To give Probo a huggable and safe behavior a new set of actuators is developed together with a triple layered protection cover which is presented in this paper. Probo’s soft touch is introduced, on the one side by use of novel passive compliant actuators, Compliant Bowden Cable Driven Actuators (CBCDAs), and on the other side by combining custom made servo motors, Non Back Drivable Servos (NBDSs), with flexible components and materials such as springs, silicon and foam. The working principle of the novel CBCDA is extensively described, together with experiments in order to determine its level of compliance and its bandwidth.     

From feeling like rape to a minor inconvenience: Victims’ accounts of the impact of computer misuse crime in the United Kingdom

This paper provides a unique insight into the impact of computer misuse crime, such as hacking, denial of service attacks, ransomware and computer viruses/malware on individual and small and medium sized enterprises/organisation (SME/O) victims in the UK. Based upon in depth interviews with 52 (38 individual and 14 SME/O) victims it shows that these victims experience many of the impacts associated with other volume crimes. Building upon research on comparable offences the paper proposes eight categories of impact, which include:little or no impact, financial, disruption, psychological (which was broken down further), feelings of violation, loss of digital possessions, health and secondary impacts. The research highlights that although for some the impact is very minor, many experience much more extensive impacts, even when there is no financial loss and for some the impact was so severe it was compared to rape.     

How to reduce the impedance for pHRI: Admittance control or underactuation?

Many applications of physical human–robot interaction (pHRI) seek to minimize the impedance felt by the operator. For large-scale operations, such as industrial material handling, two architectures have been proposed. The first uses a rigid robotic manipulator with force sensing and an admittance controller, such as the class of Intelligent Assist Devices (IADs). The second utilizes an underactuated macro-mini manipulator system, such as the uMan Assist Device. Given an application with a large payload, which of these two systems can offer the lowest inertia interaction? This work analyzes the effective inertia experienced by the operator in each of the systems. It compares the conditions under which each provides the lightest manipulation, conditions that depend on the payload as well as the frequency of manipulation. The results are validated on a large overhead robotic system configured alternatively in each of the configurations.     

How to turn your bit stream into a gold stream

With our new Home Gateway solution you can deliver more services over your network than ever before. TV, video phone, PDA services, Hi-Fi, video-on-demand, and Bluetooth phone are only the beginning. Go further with home services like burglar alarms, air-conditioning, heating, lawn-watering, or communicating with the fridge. The ZTE Home Gateway is a turn-key solution, ready for commercial use. It's easy to install and manage, and it has both IP QoS and ATM QoS to ensure highest tran…     

How Do Submarine Networks Web the World?

From late 1997 to mid-1999, major submarine cable projects have been launched and huge contracts have been signed for the implementation of transatlantic and transpacific submarine cable systems. The submarine cable industry has rarely seen so much interest in its history and the exponential growth of offered capacity on a single fiber pair has attracted all incumbent and new, national, and international, state-owned, and private operators. Will the capacity per fiber endlessly increase and the endless bandwidth needs continue to match or will limiting factors slow down the pace? It will be shown how this appetite has been made possible and what the required conditions are to keep the same pace.     

Spectral line narrowing effect induced by atomic coherence in a three-level A system

We present the spectral line narrowing effect in a Λ three-level atomic system where one transition is coupled by a coupling laser and the narrow feature is observed by probing the other transition with a weak laser. As coupling laser detuning increases the electromagnetically induced transparency resonance is observed to evolve into electromagnetically induced absorption resonance with sub-natural linewidth. The linewidth of the narrow spectral feature is studied as a function of coupling laser detuning and the atomic system parameters. The result is explained using density matrix density equation in the dressed-atom picture.     

Spectral line narrowing effect induced by atomic coherence in a three-level Λ system

We present the spectral line narrowing effect in a Λ three-level atomic system where one transition is coupled by a coupling laser and the narrow feature is observed by probing the other transition with a weak laser. As coupling laser detuning increases the electromagnetically induced transparency resonance is observed to evolve into electromagnetically induced absorption resonance with sub-natural linewidth. The linewidth of the narrow spectral feature is studied as a function of coupling laser detuning and the atomic system parameters. The result is explained using density matrix density equation in the dressed-atom picture.     

Are global over-the-top platforms the destroyers of ecosystems or the catalysts of innovation?

Global over-the-top (OTT) platforms such as YouTube and Netflix are gaining great popularity worldwide. Although the entrance of global OTT platforms may undermine the growth of countries’ local-related industries, it is also possible that imitation on the part of domestic content providers stands to create new OTT platforms or other opportunities for the growth of local content industries. This study examines the impact of global OTT platforms on the local video content industry in South Korea. Specifically, it investigates the impact of the launches of YouTube and Netflix on efficiency differences in local video content production and distribution industries through stochastic frontier analysis and meta-frontier analysis. Introduction of the global OTT platform had an impact on the domestic content industry, but there was a difference in growth according to the detailed classification industry, and the effect differed depending on the entered platform. Tobit analysis confirms that the effects of technological development and entry of global OTT platforms are significant on the technical gap ratio.     

How does the Spanish regulation of NGN affect to final users? Effects on the deployment of new FTTH infrastructures

This article has the objective of obtaining detailed knowledge on the regulation of access to next generation networks (NGNs) and its effects on a specific country, specifically Spain, given that it can be used as a reference to gain a better perspective and draw several conclusions on what has been a global pursuit during a key period of time, 2007–2015, for the electronic communications market in the European Union, where the current and historical role and position of incumbent operators is critical. Focused on NGNs based on fibre to the home solutions and the collateral aspects that support their deployment (coexistence with older access networks based on copper pairs and maintained regulation regarding wholesale broadband transmission services), this paper takes up new issues: the opening of transmission infrastructure and installation and the regulation of new network infrastructures in buildings. In doing so, we obtain a model of infrastructure and service competition that is also regulated by price, which promotes the deployment of new networks. We have generically evaluated the effect of this model on the deployment of NGNs in Spain and its effects on coverage, access to broadband service and the market shares of the different operators. The conclusions describe a successful model to a large degree because except when addressing the strictly economic aspect of return on investment, the objectives proposed by the regulatory agency have been achieved to date (2015) and within a long-term horizon (2008–2023). Given that this phenomenon is not an exact science, the conclusions regarding the goodness of the model will always be subjective and nuanced; however, we indicate that it will be necessary to strengthen the path followed by the regulatory agency through the monitoring of resolutions that maintain a strong framework and sufficient security for operators and users. Certain issues that were not addressed should be studied, given that they have proven to be critical: geographical discrimination, fibre loop disaggregation, new prices for wholesale services that adapt reference offers and greater control of the replicability of retail services. We are facing an open model with a future, as the new measures (2015) of the Spanish regulatory agency show in terms of the near future.     

Optimizing Your Position on the Operating Curve: How Can a Fab Truly Maximize Its Performance?

An empirically grounded model of a fab operating curve that is sufficiently accurate to make capitalization decisions has identified preferred domains of fab performance. This finding contradicts extant theory, which argues that all operating points on the same operating curve should reflect the same level of performance. The model is used to simulate the performance of a stylized fab that operates under realistic conditions. Results of the simulation show that significant additional revenue and profit can be generated by extending the lean approach to managing the operating curve that is practiced in most fabs today to an approach that is both lean and value driven.      

Effect of solder pads on the fatigue life of FBGA memory modules under harmonic excitation by using a global–local modeling technique

This paper investigates the effect of solder pad size on the fatigue life of fine-pitch ball grid array (FBGA) solder joints in memory modules due to harmonic excitation by using a global–local modeling technique. Finite element analysis of a memory module requires enormous computer memory and computational time because some components such as solder balls are very small relative to the overall size of the memory module. The global–local modeling technique has been suggested as an alternative approach with reasonable accuracy. A finite element model of the memory module with simplified solder joints was developed as a global model, and the natural frequencies and modes were calculated and verified by experimental modal testing. Displacement variations were calculated from the global model due to vibration excitation using the mode superposition method. A finite element model of a part of the memory module, which is composed of a package, PCB, and detailed solder joints, was developed as a local model. Calculated displacements from the global model were then substituted along the boundary of the local model in order to detect vulnerable parts of solder joints under vibration. Utilizing the global–local modeling technique, the interface between the solder ball and pad near the PCB was found to be the most vulnerable part, and the effect of solder pad size on the fatigue life of the memory module was determined by using the Basquin equation and Miner’s rule. It was experimentally verified that the solder pad size in solder joints affects fatigue life as well as the reliability of solder joints under harmonic excitation.