Valuation of B2b SAAS startups - what information and metrics are value relevant?

The valuation of early-stage startups is critical in venture capital. This thesis examines whether metrics, investors apply to assess B2B SaaS startups, can explain the probability of receiving funding and pre-money valuation. Empirical results from 441 fundraising attempts of startups support the key hypothesis that investors consider specific metrics and value information pro- vided by startups. More specifically, this thesis shows that annual recurring revenues, number of patents granted, and technical co-founders significantly and positively affect the probability to receive funding or the valuation. In addition, information disclosed by startups about revenue and burn rateare valued by investors

Addictive use of social networking sites can be explained by the interaction of Internet use expectancies, Internet literacy, and psychopathological symptoms

Background and Aims Most people use the Internet in a functional way to achieve certain goals and needs. However, there is an increasing number of people who experience negative consequences like loss of control and distress based on an excessive use of the Internet and its specific online applications. Some approaches postulate similarities with behavioral addictions as well as substance dependencies. They differentiate between a generalized and a specific Internet addiction, such as the pathological use of social networking sites (SIA–SNS). Prior studies particularly identified the use of applications, personal characteristics, and psychopathological symptoms as significant predictors for the development and maintenance of this phenomenon. So far, it remains unclear how psychopathological symptoms like depression and social anxiety interact with individual expectancies of Internet use and capabilities of handling the Internet, summarized as Internet literacy. Methods The current study (N = 334) investigated the interaction of these components in a structural equation model. Results The results indicate that the effects of depression and social anxiety on SIA–SNS were mediated by Internet use expectancies and self-regulation. Discussion Thus, Internet use expectancies seem to be crucial for SIA–SNS, which is in line with prior models. Conclusions SNS use may be reinforced by experienced gratification and relief from negative feelings. Individual competences in handling the Internet may be preventive for the development of SIA–SNS

Synthesis of Pure and Fe-Doped TiO2_2 Nanoparticles via Electrospray-Assisted Flame Spray Pyrolysis for Antimicrobial Applications

We report a straightforward aerosol-based approach to synthesizing pure and Fe-doped TiO$_2$ nanoparticles by continuous electrospray-assisted flame spray pyrolysis (EAFSP). Initially, pure TiO$_2$ nanoparticles were prepared by electrospraying titanium diisopropoxide bis(acetylacetonate) (TDIP) at varying concentrations onto a grounded flame. In this regard, various in situ (phase Doppler anemometry, high-speed camera, and scanning mobility particle sizer) and ex situ (small-angle X-ray scattering, transmission electron microscopy, and BET adsorption isotherms) diagnostics were applied for the analysis of the in-flight droplet characteristics in the spray, such as droplet μ-explosions, as well as primary and agglomerate nanoparticle evolution within the process and the particulate product. Moreover, single-particle ICP-MS (inductively coupled plasma–mass spectrometry) in situ measurements have been conducted to get insight into the process that causes various particle morphologies and to open up the option of an in situ determination of the particle formation route. Subsequently, the EAFSP method was utilized to produce Fe-doped TiO$_2$ nanoparticles. The influences of the Fe$^{3+}$ dopant concentration on the particle size, crystal structure, crystallite sizes, phase formation, oxygen vacancy defects, and optical gaps were systematically investigated. The presented EAFSP synthesis, in contrast to conventional flame spray pyrolysis (FSP) with gas atomization of the solvent/precursor, eliminates the need for dispersion gas and complex solvents, making it a more efficient and environmentally friendly method for nanoparticle synthesis. Finally, we studied the application potential of EAFSP-synthesized pure and Fe-doped TiO$_2$ nanoparticles for fighting bacteria resistant to an antibiotic, here spectinomycin-resistant Escherichia coli. A clear inhibitory effect of the Fe-doped TiO$_2$ nanoparticles could be observed during the growth of bacteria in the liquid medium, up to 99.4%. These results point out the high potential of the designed Fe-doped TiO$_2$ nanoparticles to act as antimicrobial agents and treatments against infections

Chapter 58 Evidence of late Neoproterozoic glaciation in the Caledonides of NW Scandinavia

Abstract: The northwestern part of the Scandinavian Caledonides, formed by SE-to ESE-directed thrusting through the Neoproterozoic W. Baltica continental shelf, contains numerous small and often isolated outcrops of diamictite and associated strata. No precise biostratigraphic or isotopic data are available to constrain the age of these sediments, but, on the basis of their stratigraphic position, most are correlated with the Mortensnes Formation (Fm.) in E. Finnmark and also presumed to be of glaciogenic origin. The Mortensnes Fm. has been correlated with the 580 Ma Gaskiers glacial event on the basis of d 13 C isotope studies. Structurally, the deposits occur in the Autochthon (below the Torneträsk Fm.), within an external imbricate zone (Lower Allochthon), within cover successions lying unconformably on allochthonous basement (Window Allochthon) palaeogeographically derived from below or outboard of the Lower Allochthon and, more rarely, within the Middle Allochthon, derived from outboard of the Window Allochthon. Evidence for a glaciogenic origin is typically poor or lacking. Only in the Komagfjord Antiformal Stack (Window Allochthon), where an up to 40-m-thick succession of three fining upwards cycles has been mapped, are the deposits comparable in thickness and complexity to the Mortensnes Fm. Other sequences are sometimes ,1 m thick and unconformably overlain by post-'glacial' deposits. The Vakkejokk Breccia, a submarine slump in the Torneträsk area of the Autochthon closely underlies the correlative Precambrian -Cambrian lithostratigraphic boundary in E. Finnmark but overlies the first appearance of the boundary marker fossil Treptichnus pedum. Although sometimes interpreted as periglacial, this seems unlikely in view of the 30-508 palaeolatitude during deposition. Calcite nodules (,1 cm size) in the Vakkejokk Breccia have previously been interpreted as glendonite, but the microstructure and palaeolatitude makes this unlikely; they are likely a replacement of gypsum. Diamictites of uncertain origin have also been found in the Ediacaran Lower Siltstone Member of the Torneträsk Fm. and unconformably under the ?Lower Cambrian Lomvatn Fm. in the Komagfjord Antiformal Stack

Cross-National Associations Among Cyberbullying Victimization, Self-Esteem, and Internet Addiction : Direct and Indirect Effects of Alexithymia

The relationship among cyberbullying victimization, lower self-esteem, and internet addiction has been well-established. Yet, little research exists that explains the nature of these associations, and no previous work has considered the inability to identify or describe one's emotions, namely, alexithymia, as a potential mediator of these links. The present study sought to investigate the indirect effects of cyberbullying victimization on self-esteem and internet addiction, mediated by alexithymia. The sample consisted of 1,442 participants between 12 and 17 years (M-age= 14.17,SD= 1.38, 51.5% male) from Germany, the Netherlands, and the United States. Results showed a direct relationship between cyberbullying victimization and self-esteem and an indirect association mediated by alexithymia in the Dutch sample. However, in the German and U.S. samples, only an indirect relationship via alexithymia, but not a direct effect of cyberbullying victimization on self-esteem, was found. Consistent across the three country samples, cyberbullying victimization and internet addiction were directly and also indirectly associated via alexithymia. In sum, findings indicate that alexithymia might help better understand which detrimental effects cyberbullying victimization has on adolescent psychological health. Thus, cyberbullying prevention programs should consider implementing elements that educate adolescents on the ability to identify and describe their own emotions

Social networks use disorder and associations with depression and anxiety symptoms: a systematic review of recent research in China

Background: An increasing number of studies have investigated Social Networks Use Disorder (SNUD) among Western samples. In this context, the investigation of SNUD in Asia and especially in China has been much neglected. This poses a gap in the literature; it has been estimated that more than one billion Chinese people are using Chinese social networking sites (SNSs). Of note, many of these Chinese SNSs are rather unknown to researchers in Western countries. Aims: The primary objective of the present systematic review was to identify and evaluate studies that investigated Chinese SNS use and associations between SNUD and depression and anxiety symptoms. Method: A comprehensive search strategy identified relevant studies in PsycINFO, PsycARTICLES, Psychology and Behavioral Sciences Collection, MEDLINE, ProQuest, Web of Science, PubMed, Google Scholar, and the Chinese National Knowledge Infrastructure database (CNKI). Results: The search strategy identified 35 potential studies, 13 studies were identified after shortlisting and full-text reviews of the studies, and finally 10 studies were included in the full review. Associations between SNUD, depression, and anxiety were reported in 10 studies. In eight (of the 10) studies, symptom severity of SNUD was associated with depression. Four studies reported associations between SNUD and anxiety. Most studies had utilized cross-sectional survey designs. Conclusions: Most associations were found between SNUD and depression symptoms, but effect sizes were higher between SNUD and anxiety symptoms. The results have the potential to inform prevention and interventions on SNUD in Eastern cultures, although we explicitly state that our work focuses on China, the transfer of the present observations to other Asian countries (and their cultures) still needs to be established

Magnetotelluric observations across the Juan de Fuca subduction system in the EMSLAB project

A magnetotelluric (MT)transect has been obtained near latitude 45øN from the active Juan de Fuca Spreading center, across the subduction zone and Cascades volcanic arc, and into the back arc Deschutes Basin region. This paper presents the MT data set and describes its major characteristics as they pertain to the resistivity of the subduction system. In addition, we discuss the measurement and processing procedures employed as well as important concerns in data interpretation. Broadband audiomagnetotelluric (AMT)/MT soundings( approx. 0.01-500 s period) were collected on land with considerable redundancy in site location, and from which 39 sites were selected which constrain upper crustal heterogeneity but sense also into the upper mantle. Fifteen long-period MT recordings (about 50-10,000 s) on land confirm the broadband responses in their common period range and extend the depths of exploration to hundreds of kilometers. On the Juan de Fuca plate offshore, 33 out of 39 sea floor instruments at 19 locations gave good results. Of these locations, five magnetotelluric soundings plus two additional geomagnetic variation sites, covering the period range 200-10^(5) s approximately, constitute the ocean bottom segment of our profile. The feature of the land observations which probably relates most closely to the subduction process is a peak in the impedance phase of the transverse magnetic mode around 30-50 s period. This phase anomaly, with a corresponding inflection in the apparent resistivity, is continuous eastward from the seacoast and ends abruptly at the High Cascades. It signifies an electrically conductive layer in otherwise resistive lower crust or upper mantle, with the layer conductance decreasing eastward from the coast to a minimum under the Coast Range but increasing suddenly to the east of the central Willamette Basin. The higher conductance to the east is corroborated by the vertical magnetic field transfer function whose real component shows negative values in the period range 100-1000 s over the same distance. The transverse electric mode apparent resistivity and phase on the land display a variety of three-dimensional effects which make their interpretation difficult. Conversely, both modes of the ocean floor soundings exhibit a smooth progression laterally from the coastal area to the spreading ridge, indicating that the measurements here are reflecting primarily the large-scale tectonic structures of interest and are little disturbed by small near-surface inhomogeneities. The impedance data near the ridge are strongly suggestive of a low-resistivity asthenosphere beneath resistive Juan de Fuca plate lithosphere. Approaching the coastline to the east, both impedance and vertical magnetic field responses appear increasingly affected by a thick wedge of deposited and accreted sediments and by the thinning of the seawater

Cross-Reactive Sensor Arrays for the Detection of Peptides in Aqueous Solution by Fluorescence Spectroscopy

A simple but powerful method for the sensing of peptides in aqueous solution has been developed. The transition-metal complexes [PdCl2(en)], [{RhCl2Cp*}2], and [{RuCl2(p-cymene)} 2] were combined with six different fluorescent dyes to build a cross-reactive sensor array. The fluorescence response of the individual sensor units was based on competitive complexation reactions between the peptide analytes and the fluorescent dyes. The collective response of the sensor array in a time-resolved fashion was used as an input for multivariate analyses. A sensor array comprised of only six metal-dye combinations was able to differentiate ten different dipeptides in buffered aqueous solution at a concentration of 50 uM. Furthermore, the cross-reactive sensor could be used to obtain information about the identity and the quantity of the pharmacologically interesting dipeptides carnosine and homocarnosine in a complex biological matrix, such as deproteinized human blood serum. The sensor array was also able to sense longer peptides, which was demonstrated by differentiating mixtures of the nonapeptide bradykinin and the decapeptide kallidin

Blockchain Secured Dynamic Machine Learning Pipeline for Manufacturing

ML-based applications already play an important role in factories in areas such as visual quality inspection, process optimization, and maintenance prediction and will become even more important in the future. For ML to be used in an industrial setting in a safe and effective way, the different steps needed to use ML must be put together in an ML pipeline. The development of ML pipelines is usually conducted by several and changing external stakeholders because they are very complex constructs, and confidence in their work is not always clear. Thus, end-to-end trust in the ML pipeline is not granted automatically. This is because the components and processes in ML pipelines are not transparent. This can also cause problems with certification in areas where safety is very important, such as the medical field, where procedures and their results must be recorded in detail. In addition, there are security challenges, such as attacks on the model and the ML pipeline, that are difficult to detect. This paper provides an overview of ML security challenges that can arise in production environments and presents a framework on how to address data security and transparency in ML pipelines. The framework is presented using visual quality inspection as an example. The presented framework provides: (a) a tamper-proof data history, which achieves accountability and supports quality audits; (b) an increase in trust by protocol for the used ML pipeline, by rating the experts and entities involved in the ML pipeline and certifying legitimacy for participation; and (c) certification of the pipeline infrastructure, the ML model, data collection, and labelling. After describing the details of the new approach, the mitigation of the previously described security attacks will be demonstrated, and a conclusion will be drawn