A Machine Learning Based Source Property Inference for Compact Binary Mergers

The detection of the binary neutron star (BNS) merger, GW170817, was the first success story of multi-messenger observations of compact binary mergers. The inferred merger rate along with the increased sensitivity of the ground-based gravitational-wave (GW) network in the present LIGO/Virgo, and future LIGO/Virgo/KAGRA observing runs, strongly hints at detection of binaries which could potentially have an electromagnetic (EM) counterpart. A rapid assessment of properties that could lead to a counterpart is essential to aid time-sensitive follow-up operations, especially robotic telescopes. At minimum, the possibility of counterparts require a neutron star (NS). Also, the tidal disruption physics is important to determine the remnant matter post merger, the dynamics of which could result in the counterparts. The main challenge, however, is that the binary system parameters such as masses and spins estimated from the real time, GW template-based searches are often dominated by statistical and systematic errors. Here, we present an approach that uses supervised machine-learning to mitigate such selection effects to report possibility of counterparts based on presence of a NS component, and presence of remnant matter post merger in real time.Comment: accepted in Ap

Peer-produced Privacy Protection A Common-pool Approach

Abstract-Privacy risks have been addressed through technical solutions such as privacy-enhancing technologies (PETs) as well as regulatory measures including Do Not Track. These approaches are inherently limited as they are grounded in the paradigm of a rational end user who can determine, articulate, and manage consistent privacy preferences. This implies that self-serving efforts to implement individual privacy preferences lead to socially optimal outcomes with regard to information sharing. Consequently, solutions to specific risks are developed, and even mandated, without effective reduction in the overall harm of privacy breaches. We present a systematic framework to examine the limitations of current technical and policy solutions. To address the shortcomings of existing privacy solutions, we argue for considering information sharing to be transactions within a community. Outcomes of privacy management can be improved at a lower overall cost if peers, as a community, are empowered by appropriate technical and policy mechanisms. Designing for a community requires encouraging dialogue, enabling transparency, and supporting enforcement of community norms. In this paper we show how peer production of privacy is possible through PETs that are grounded in the notion of information as a common-pool resource and community governance

Peer-produced Privacy Protection A Common-pool Approach

Abstract-Privacy risks have been addressed through technical solutions such as privacy-enhancing technologies (PETs) as well as regulatory measures including Do Not Track. These approaches are inherently limited as they are grounded in the paradigm of a rational end user who can determine, articulate, and manage consistent privacy preferences. This implies that self-serving efforts to implement individual privacy preferences lead to socially optimal outcomes with regard to information sharing. Consequently, solutions to specific risks are developed, and even mandated, without effective reduction in the overall harm of privacy breaches. We present a systematic framework to examine the limitations of current technical and policy solutions. To address the shortcomings of existing privacy solutions, we argue for considering information sharing to be transactions within a community. Outcomes of privacy management can be improved at a lower overall cost if peers, as a community, are empowered by appropriate technical and policy mechanisms. Designing for a community requires encouraging dialogue, enabling transparency, and supporting enforcement of community norms. In this paper we show how peer production of privacy is possible through PETs that are grounded in the notion of information as a common-pool resource and community governance

The GstLAL Search Analysis Methods for Compact Binary Mergers in Advanced LIGO's Second and Advanced Virgo's First Observing Runs

After their successful first observing run (September 12, 2015 - January 12, 2016), the Advanced LIGO detectors were upgraded to increase their sensitivity for the second observing run (November 30, 2016 - August 26, 2017). The Advanced Virgo detector joined the second observing run on August 1, 2017. We discuss the updates that happened during this period in the GstLAL-based inspiral pipeline, which is used to detect gravitational waves from the coalescence of compact binaries both in low latency and an offline configuration. These updates include deployment of a zero-latency whitening filter to reduce the over-all latency of the pipeline by up to 32 seconds, incorporation of the Virgo data stream in the analysis, introduction of a single-detector search to analyze data from the periods when only one of the detectors is running, addition of new parameters to the likelihood ratio ranking statistic, increase in the parameter space of the search, and introduction of a template mass-dependent glitch-excision thresholding method.Comment: 12 pages, 7 figures, to be submitted to Phys. Rev. D, comments welcom

Effectiveness of early intervention programs for parents of preterm infants: a meta-review of systematic reviews

Background: Various intervention programs exist for parents of preterm babies and some systematic reviews (SRs) have synthesised the evidence of their effectiveness. These reviews are, however, limited to specific interventions, components, or outcomes, and a comprehensive evidence base is lacking. The aim of this meta-review was to appraise and meta-synthesise the evidence from existing SRs to provide a comprehensive evidence base on the effectiveness of interventions for parents of preterm infants on parental and infant outcomes. Methods: We conducted a comprehensive search of the following databases to identify relevant SRs: Cochrane library, Web of science, EMBASE, CINAHL, British Nursing Index, PsycINFO, Medline, ScienceDirect, Scopus, IBSS, DOAJ, ERIC, EPPI-Centre, PROSPERO, WHO Library. Additional searches were conducted using authors’ institutional libraries, Google Scholar, and the reference lists of identified reviews. Identified articles were screened in two stages against an inclusion criteria with titles and abstracts screened first followed by full-text screening. Selected SRs were appraised using the AMSTAR tool. Extracted data using a predesigned tool were synthesised narratively examining the direction of impact on outcomes. Results: We found 11 SRs eligible for inclusion that synthesised a total of 343 quantitative primary studies. The average quality of the SRs was ‘medium’. Thirty four interventions were reported across the SRs with considerable heterogeneity in the structural framework and the targeted outcomes that included maternal-infant dyadic, maternal/parental, and infant outcomes. Among all interventions, Kangaroo Care (KC) showed the most frequent positive impact across outcomes (n = 19) followed by Mother Infant Transaction Program (MITP) (n = 14). Other interventions with most consistent positive impact on infant outcomes were Modified-Mother Infant Transaction Program (M-MITP) (n = 6), Infant Health and Development Program (IHDP) (n = 5) and Creating Opportunities for Parent Empowerment (COPE) (n = 5). Overall, interventions with both home and facility based components showed the most frequent positive impact across outcomes. Conclusions: Neonatal care policy and planning for preterm babies should consider the implementation of interventions with most positive impact on outcomes. The heterogeneity in interventions and outcomes calls for the development and implementation of an integrated program for parents of preterm infants with a clearly defined global set of parental and infant outcomes