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Designers rely on sketching to visualize and refine their initial ideas, and virtual reality (VR) tools now facilitate sketching in immersive 3D environments. However, little research has been conducted on the differences in the visual and spatial processes involved in 3D versus 2D sketching and their effects on cognition. This study investigated potential differences in spatial and visual functions related to the use of 3D versus 2D sketching media by analyzing functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) data. We recruited 20 healthy, right-handed students from the Department of Horticulture and Landscape Architecture with at least three years of experience in freehand landscape drawing. Using an Oculus Quest VR headset controller and a 12.9-inch iPad Pro with an Apple Pencil, we tested participants individually with 3D and 2D sketching, respectively. When comparing 2D and 3D sketches, our fMRI results revealed significant differences in the activation of several brain regions, including the right middle temporal gyrus, both sides of the parietal lobe, and the left middle occipital gyrus. We also compared different sketching conditions, such as lines, geometrical objects (cube), and naturalistic objects (perspective view of a tree), and found significant differences in the spatial and visual recognition of brain areas that support visual recognition, composition, and spatial perception. This finding suggests that 3D sketching environments, such as VR, may activate more visual–spatial functions during sketching compared to 2D environments. The result highlights the potential of immersive sketching environments for design-related processes and spatial thinking. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We study how Apple and independent repair service providers used different physical, regulatory, and digital instruments to influence each other's abilities to control the repair aftermarket of the Apple iPhone between 2007 and 2020. We show how the emergence of digital instruments for enacting control, made possible through emerging functionality for tethering, encryption, and temporary binding implemented in the iPhone itself, was shaped by and shaped the actions of Apple and the independent repair service providers, and led to a dominant tension between encrypted authorization and inscription of control through Apple and collective legal action by independent repair service providers. Our analysis provides a more nuanced understanding of control enactment by highlighting the implications of using different mediums for exercising control, and we provide a new way to understand the dialectics involved in enacting control in digital product aftermarkets. Our study provides insights that can inform the regulation of digital product aftermarkets--in particular, the ongoing debate about rights-to-repair legislation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

When facing unregulated human interventions, the tumultuous backdrop of wars, and the relentless impact of climate change, a significant effect is held on those structures that stand as custodians of our cultural identity and historical legacy. The need to document their status is an essential first step toward preservation and restoration. This contribution will analyze and compare diverse datasets acquired through three distinct methods: Terrestrial Laser Scanner, Apple's iPhone 15 Pro with no additional tool, and iPhone 15 Pro using Pix4D viDoc RTK Rover to assess the quality and accuracy of point clouds, as well as to determine the feasibility of each technique for the expeditious documentation of endangered built heritage. The use of mass-distributed low-cost sensors provides a rapid and cost-effective means to capture detailed 3D models of built heritage while, at the same time, democratizing the process of documentation. Low-cost sensors not only facilitate documentation but also enhance the efficiency of conservation efforts. The precision of LiDAR sensors helps identify structural vulnerabilities, allowing conservationists to prioritize interventions and allocate resources wisely. Furthermore, detailed imagery will enable conservationists to monitor subtle structural changes over time, acting as an early warning system against potential threats. As an additional aid, the RTK Rover enables centimeter-level positioning accuracy while maintaining a compact and fast deployable design, and the direct measurement of Ground Control Points (GCPs) significantly streamlines the surveying process and equipment footprint. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article examines the lawsuit between Apple Inc. and Rivos Inc. regarding the recruitment of Apple employees by Rivos. Apple accused the departing employees of misappropriating trade secrets and breaching intellectual property agreements, while Rivos countersued, claiming that Apple's contracts violated California law. The case was settled after two years of litigation. The article explores the issues surrounding corporate raiding, trade secrets, and employee mobility, as well as the tension between protecting corporate secrets and allowing employee movement. It provides background, analyzes the claims and counterclaims, and discusses the lessons learned from the lawsuit. [Extracted from the article]

Jumps in the paths of efficient asset prices have important economic implications. Motivated by the issue of testing for jumps based on noisy high‐frequency data, we develop a novel spot volatility estimator, which is obtained by minimizing the sum of some Huber loss functions, and use it as an ingredient for jump detection. This type of estimators is uniformly consistent in estimating the spot volatilities of the efficient price at numerous time points. We further demonstrate the consistency of the proposed jump test based on the property of the novel spot volatility estimator. We show that in finite samples, the proposed volatility estimator and the test perform favorably compared to some competitors through Monte Carlo simulations. We also illustrate our methodology with the stock prices of Apple and Microsoft. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The accuracy of human pose tracking using smartphone camera (2D-pose) to quantify shoulder range of motion (RoM) is not determined. Methods: Twenty healthy individuals were recruited and performed shoulder abduction, adduction, flexion, or extension, captured simultaneously using a smartphone-based human pose estimation algorithm (Apple's vision framework) and using a skin marker-based 3D motion capture system. Validity was assessed by comparing the 2D-pose outcomes against a well-established 3D motion capture protocol. In addition, the impact of iPhone positioning was investigated using three smartphones in multiple vertical and horizontal positions. The relationship and validity were analysed using linear mixed models and Bland-Altman analysis. Results: We found that 2D-pose-based shoulder RoM was consistent with 3D motion capture (linear mixed model: R2 > 0.93) but was somewhat overestimated by the smartphone. Differences were dependent on shoulder movement type and RoM amplitude, with adduction the worst performer among all tested movements. All motion types were described using linear equations. Correction methods are provided to correct potential out-of-plane shoulder movements. Conclusions: Shoulder RoM estimated using a smartphone camera is consistent with 3D motion-capture-derived RoM; however, differences between the systems were observed and are likely explained by differences in thoracic frame definitions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The prevalence of digital devices in modern society has raised concerns about the potential negative effects of blue-light emissions on eye health and biological rhythms. Research into blue light emissions from digital devices and their potential impact on eye health emphasizes the importance of understanding and quantifying the extent and scope of blue light emissions produced by commonly used screens (smartphones, tablets, and computers). The goal of this study was to implement a set of methodologies to analyze this emission. A comparative study specifically evaluated three popular Apple devices: the iPhone 12 mini®, iPad Pro 12.9®, and the MacBook Pro®. The devices' spectral power was measured using a spectroradiometer while displaying text and a game at different brightness levels. The laboratory measurements are compared to known solar irradiance, and all devices tested show blue wavelength peaks between 445 nm and 455 nm, with no expected immediate photobiological risk. We quantified the spectral emission from the three device categories and concluded that blue light levels should not significantly affect eye health. The measurements carried out indicated that the blue irradiance received by the human eye during one minute outdoors is greater than the blue light received by digital devices in approximately 24 h. This study also examines the effectiveness of blue-blocking lenses from well-known brands. The research highlights the importance of quantifying blue light emissions and understanding their potential impact on eye health, so appropriate measures can be developed to mitigate, if needed, adverse effects on ocular structures. A need to clarify the efficacy and usefulness of blue-blocking ophthalmic lenses still remains. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mass media companies can be elaborated as organizations that manipulate technological components for their various departments such as movie studios, publishing houses, radio and television station management teams that impact a large range of audience via vast communication strategies. The companies have also been referred to as media conglomerates, media groups, or media houses further illustrating their grasp over the global markets and their revenue structures. The largest media companies such as Apple, Disney, and Comcast among others, offer products and services to users that are diverse individuals as well as large organizations leading to significant revenues as well as challenges that have been further explored in a comprehensive manner in the study. IoT utilizes wireless networks that are without infrastructure to install a huge number of wireless sensors that track system, physical, and environmental conditions. If you're wanting to integrate WSN into your business, our highly driven and experienced engineers can give you an all-encompassing solution. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The activities of enterprise employees can become a risk factor in terms of cybercrime, which is often associated with their lack of preparedness to counter potential cyber threats. Many businesses need a well-adjusted system of approaches to protect their internal data from all sorts of cyber threats. The objectives of the study are to analyze the practices of using systems to combat cybercrime phenomena in the corporate sphere. This analysis includes a review of the use of preventive measures by the personnel of top high-tech companies such as Apple and Samsung. The research implies to study the regulatory component of corporate systems for preventing cybercrime among personnel in the context of existing practices and approaches to the legal regulation of this issue. The study examines the relationship of corporate instructions in the field of cybersecurity. The results of the study indicate that the regulatory basis of countering internal cybercrime and data breach issues, as well as practical measures for its implementation cannot be equated, since the latter may have the nature of informal measures and do not contain formal reporting. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study investigates the complex interplay between public sentiment, as captured through news titles and descriptions, and the stock prices of three major tech companies: Microsoft (MSFT), Tesla (TSLA), and Apple (AAPL). Leveraging advanced analytical methods including Pearson correlation, wavelet coherence, and regression analysis, this research probes the degree to which stock-price fluctuations can be attributed to the polarity of media sentiment. The methodology combines statistical techniques to assess sentiment's predictive power for stock opening and closing prices, while wavelet coherence analysis unveils the temporal dynamics of these relationships. The results demonstrate a significant correlation between sentiment polarity and stock prices, with description polarity affecting Microsoft's opening prices, title polarity influencing Tesla's opening prices, and a positive impact of title polarity on Apple's closing prices. However, Tesla's stock showed no significant coherence, indicating a potential divergence in how sentiment affects stock behavior across companies. The study highlights the importance of sentiment analysis in forecasting stock-market trends, revealing not only direct correlations but also lagged influences on stock prices. Despite its focus on large-cap tech firms, this research provides a foundational understanding of sentiment's financial implications, suggesting further investigation into smaller firms and other market sectors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Laser scanning technology has long been the preferred method for capturing interior scenes in various industries. With a growing market, smaller and more affordable scanners have emerged, offering end products with sufficient accuracy. While not on par with professional scanners, Apple has made laser scanning technology accessible to users with the introduction of the new iPhone Pro models, democratizing 3D scanning. Thus, this study aimed to assess the performance of the iPhone's lidar technology as a low-cost solution for building documentation. Four scanning applications were evaluated to determine the accuracy, precision, and user experience of the generated point clouds compared with a terrestrial laser scanner. The results reveal varying performances on the same device, highlighting the influence of software. Notably, there is room for improvement, particularly in tracking the device's position through software solutions. As it stands, the technology is well suited for applications such as indoor navigation and the generation of quick floor plans in the context of building documentation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Near‐constant Internet access through desktop or mobile devices has turned self‐service support forums into the first port of call for users seeking to troubleshoot product or service issues. The firms providing these products and services also benefit from this trend since it reduces user support costs by diverting service requests away from costlier support channels, such as help desks. For the continued success of such a forum, however, the managing entity must ensure that users receive timely solutions to their inquiries quickly and regularly. We develop a mathematical model of a user forum's operations to obtain a "white box" view of a user forum and reveal the support system's dynamics. Then, using a large and comprehensive dataset of questions and answers from Apple's iPhone user forum, we empirically estimate the forum's performance to validate the predictions of the mathematical model. Our results demonstrate that the predictions closely match the forum's actual performance, with an error of less than 10%. We then propose and analyze an optimal threshold policy that boosts a thread to rekindle user interest and demonstrate the benefit of our intervention policy in managing the iPhone forum. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Digital media corporations such as Alphabet—the parent company of Google—and Apple invade people's privacy and personal data and make high profits through their operating systems such as Android and iOS. The research question of this article is the following: is it possible to prevent corporations from engaging in unfair and unlawful practices concerning personal data processing by making regulations regarding the laws of data protection and competition? We argue that the laws of data protection, such as the GDPR (General Data Protection Regulation) and anti-trust laws in the EU, structure digital economies in such a way that while the corporations are held liable for the abuse of dominance in the related market, such laws do not affect protecting individuals' privacy and personal data. A better solution would be to create an environment where individuals have a choice, and where they can negotiate the terms and conditions. This is possible by amending existing laws and designating new provisions that prevent invasive and compelling manners of the companies that users are exposed to in practice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, we analyze the robustness and sensitivity of various continuous-time rough Volterra stochastic volatility models in relation to the process of market calibration. Model robustness is examined from two perspectives: the sensitivity of option price estimates and the sensitivity of parameter estimates to changes in the option data structure. The following sensitivity analysis consists of statistical tests to determine whether a given studied model is sensitive to changes in the option data structure based on the distribution of parameter estimates. Empirical study is performed on a data set consisting of Apple Inc. equity options traded on four different days in April and May 2015. In particular, the results for RFSV, rBergomi and α RFSV models are provided and compared to the results for Heston, Bates, and AFSVJD models. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Apple Inc. is an American technological company that designs, manufactures, and sells various products such as laptops, phones, accessories, streaming services, licensing services, and so much more. The paper explores the corporate responsibility and unethical business practices that arise from the global sourcing of Apple's products. The company established many relationships with suppliers in East Asia to meet the rigorous demands of consumers, promising high-quality products at the expense of factory workers. However, global sourcing comes with unethical business practices. There have been various cases against Apple's suppliers. This research highlights unfair working conditions, overworking employees, and environmental pollution that Apple's suppliers are guilty of. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Apple vinegar is highly recommended for nutrition due to its health benefits and bioactive components. However, the apple cultivar greatly influences the quality of the vinegar. In this research, our focus was on examining the impact of four different apple cultivars on the physicochemical attributes, chemical composition, as well as biological properties—including antidepressant and anti-inflammatory activities—of vinegar. Interestingly, the physicochemical properties of vinegar and the contents of acetic acid and polyphenols depend on the apple cultivars. HPLC chromatographic analysis showed that citric acid (820.62–193.63 mg/100 g) and gallic acid (285.70–54.40 µg/g) were mostly abundant in the vinegar samples. The in vivo results showed that administration of Golden Delicious apple vinegar (10 mL/kg) to adult Wistar rats reduced carrageenan-induced inflammation by 37.50%. The same vinegar sample exhibited a significant antidepressant effect by reducing the rats' immobility time by 31.07% in the forced swimming test. Due to its high acidity, Golden Delicious vinegar was found to be more effective against bacteria, particularly Bacillus subtilis and Candida albicans, resulting in a MIC value of 31.81 mg/mL. Furthermore, the antioxidant activity of various vinegar samples was found to be powerful, displaying optimal values of IC50 = 65.20 mg/mL, 85.83%, and 26.45 AAE/g in the DPPH, β-carotene decolorization and TAC assays, respectively. In conclusion, the apple cultivars used in this study impact the chemical composition and biological activities of vinegar, which may help demonstrate the importance of raw material selection for the production of vinegar. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The objective of companies is to seek profitability to guarantee their survival. To do this, they want their brand to be recognized and differentiated. Apple is a paradigmatic case in this sense. It is currently the most valuable brand in the world. Through a theoretical framework, a case study and ad-hoc research, the perception of the value of the Apple brand among iPhone users is analyzed. The brand identity acts together with the main attributes of the product to shape in the minds of the users an experience that is perceived as unique and valuable. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The task of detecting a structural change in conditional quantiles of time series with time-varying volatilities is vital in the field of financial time series, especially risk management. Therefore, in this study, we aim to construct a change point test to detect a quantile change by hybridizing the cumulative sum of squares test with the support vector quantile regression. Compared to the test employing the standard quantile regression, this approach not only provides more robust property against a high degree of nonlinearity of time series but also exhibits better performance for the datasets contaminated with high-frequency noises, as demonstrated in our simulation study. It also has merits to provide more diverse interpretations and a deeper understanding of financial time series than the volatility change point test, as illustrated in a real data analysis of three financial indices, namely, S&P500, Nasdaq composite index, and the stock price of Apple Inc. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]