A robust transient gas network simulation for predicting the dynamics before, during, and after extensive disruptions

Computer-aided hydraulic calculations allowing to predict the physical states of modeled gas networks are an important tool for the planning, design and operation of resilient gas infrastructures. Insecure gas supply situations, due to, e.g., acts of sabotage or political sanctions, raise the demand for simulation tools able to predict network behavior under non-design conditions. While transient modeling of the gas dynamics is mandatory to gain a comprehensive understanding of immediate ramifications, robust algorithms are needed for gas-network simulation far from design-point operation in case of severe changes to the system. This work presents a gas network simulation implementation for analyses of transient responses to extensive contingencies. This upgrade of a previously established, highly robust gas network simulation approach by transient simulation capabilities enables robust simulation of the gas dynamics for network layouts and parameter spaces for which conventional gas grid simulation tools fail to produce meaningful converged solutions. This new robust numerical transient approach uniquely allows to, e.g., predict system behavior and settling times after disruptive events, survival times in case of networks which get completely detached from any gas source or recovery times after repairs

Why do cyclists violate traffic rules? Evidence for situationally and personally motivated violations, slips, and mistakes from a crowdsourcing project

Almost all cyclists violate some traffic rules with varying frequencies; however, there are few direct assessments of their reasons and motivations for these infringements. If we want to tackle traffic rule violations by cyclists as a source of conflict and contra-cycling attitudes, a more complete understanding of the reasons underlying these violations is required.This research is based on a non-representative, web-based inquiry consisting of about 5,800 contributions from road users about traffic situations described as dangerous, confusing, or a nuisance. Contributions were manually coded for the transportation modes of perpetrator(s), victim(s), and the violated rule. Regarding the described or assumed reasons, the classification system of human errors by Reasons was used to differentiate between mistakes, slips and lapses, and routine as well as situational violations.A total of 717 violations committed by cyclists and 1,795 violations committed against cyclists were identified. About half of the contributions expressed or assumed reasons for the described rule violation, only a fraction of which was attributed to recklessness. A noticeable proportion of rule violations by cyclists were attributed to situational factors, suggesting that rule infringements occur because cyclists feel that (i) they have no other choice, (ii) observing the rule is too dangerous, or (iii) traffic regulations are unclear or absent. In order to reduce the rule violations by cyclists as well as their conflicts with other road users, the traffic systems need to be designed such that cyclists do not feel that their most reasonable option is to commit these rule violations

Thalamo-frontal functional connectivity patterns in Tourette Syndrome: insights from combined intracranial DBS and EEG recordings

Thalamic deep brain stimulation (DBS) has shown clinical improvement for patients with treatment-refractory Tourette Syndrome (TS). Advancing DBS for TS requires identifying reliable electrophysiological markers. Recognising TS as a network disorder, we investigated thalamo-cortical oscillatory connectivity by combining local field potential (LFP) recordings from the DBS thalamic target region using the PerceptTM PC neurostimulator with high-density EEG in eight male TS patients (aged 27–38) while stimulation was off. We identified a spatially and spectrally distinct oscillatory network connecting the medial thalamus and frontal regions in the alpha band (8–12 Hz), with functional connectivity strength negatively correlated with TS symptom severity. Moreover, reduced thalamo-frontal alpha functional connectivity before tic onset, localised in sensorimotor regions and the inferior parietal cortex, suggests its direct role in tic generation. Importantly, associations with symptoms and pre-tic dynamics were specific to functional connectivity patterns and not evident in the pure power spectra. These findings underscore the importance of investigating electrophysiological oscillatory connectivity to characterise pathological network connections in TS, potentially guiding stimulation-based interventions and future research on closed-loop DBS for TS

On the complexities of testing for compliance with human oversight requirements in AI regulation

Human oversight requirements are a core component of the European AI Act and in AI governance. In this paper, we highlight key challenges in testing for compliance with these requirements. A central difficulty lies in balancing simple, but potentially ineffective checklist-based approaches with resource-intensive and context-sensitive empirical testing of the effectiveness of human oversight of AI. Questions regarding when to update compliance testing, the context-dependent nature of human oversight requirements, and difficult-to-operationalize standards further complicate compliance testing. We argue that these challenges illustrate broader challenges in the future of sociotechnical AI governance, i.e. a future that shifts from ensuring “good” technological products to “good” sociotechnical systems

Mitochondrial contact site and cristae organizing system promotes modular assembly of cytochrome c oxidase

Mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase, complex IV (CIV) of the respiratory chain, is assembled in a modular fashion from mitochondrial as well as nuclear-encoded subunits, guided by numerous assembly factors. This intricate process is further complicated by the characteristic architecture of the inner mitochondrial membrane. The mitochondrial contact site and cristae organizing system (MICOS) maintains the stability of crista junctions that connect the cristae, the site of mitochondrial respiration, with the inner boundary membrane, where newly imported respiratory subunits first arrive. Here, we report that MICOS facilitates specific assembly steps of CIV and associates with intermediates of the Cox1 and Cox3 modules. Moreover, MICOS recruits a variety of assembly factors even in the absence of ongoing CIV biogenesis, directly or via the mitochondrial multifunctional assembly (MIMAS). Our results establish MICOS as an important agent in efficient respiratory chain assembly that promotes CIV biogenesis within the compartmentalized inner membrane architecture

Reading between the lines: an exploratory study on how graph distortions shape perceptions and use of performance information

This study examines how graph distortion affects politicians and their staff. Using an experimental design with crime rate graphs, the authors investigated the impact on trend assessment, perceived informational value, and intentions to use performance information. Graph distortion was found to significantly affect politicians’ trend evaluations and the latter correlated with increased intentions to use performance information for citizen communication. This was, however, not true for staff. Individual characteristics, for example indicator attitude and opposition status, proved to be more influential than visual manipulations