2,030 research outputs found
Multidisciplinary perspectives on Artificial Intelligence and the law
This open access book presents an interdisciplinary, multi-authored, edited collection of chapters on Artificial Intelligence (‘AI’) and the Law. AI technology has come to play a central role in the modern data economy. Through a combination of increased computing power, the growing availability of data and the advancement of algorithms, AI has now become an umbrella term for some of the most transformational technological breakthroughs of this age. The importance of AI stems from both the opportunities that it offers and the challenges that it entails. While AI applications hold the promise of economic growth and efficiency gains, they also create significant risks and uncertainty. The potential and perils of AI have thus come to dominate modern discussions of technology and ethics – and although AI was initially allowed to largely develop without guidelines or rules, few would deny that the law is set to play a fundamental role in shaping the future of AI. As the debate over AI is far from over, the need for rigorous analysis has never been greater. This book thus brings together contributors from different fields and backgrounds to explore how the law might provide answers to some of the most pressing questions raised by AI. An outcome of the Católica Research Centre for the Future of Law and its interdisciplinary working group on Law and Artificial Intelligence, it includes contributions by leading scholars in the fields of technology, ethics and the law.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio
Effects of municipal smoke-free ordinances on secondhand smoke exposure in the Republic of Korea
ObjectiveTo reduce premature deaths due to secondhand smoke (SHS) exposure among non-smokers, the Republic of Korea (ROK) adopted changes to the National Health Promotion Act, which allowed local governments to enact municipal ordinances to strengthen their authority to designate smoke-free areas and levy penalty fines. In this study, we examined national trends in SHS exposure after the introduction of these municipal ordinances at the city level in 2010.MethodsWe used interrupted time series analysis to assess whether the trends of SHS exposure in the workplace and at home, and the primary cigarette smoking rate changed following the policy adjustment in the national legislation in ROK. Population-standardized data for selected variables were retrieved from a nationally representative survey dataset and used to study the policy action’s effectiveness.ResultsFollowing the change in the legislation, SHS exposure in the workplace reversed course from an increasing (18% per year) trend prior to the introduction of these smoke-free ordinances to a decreasing (−10% per year) trend after adoption and enforcement of these laws (β2 = 0.18, p-value = 0.07; β3 = −0.10, p-value = 0.02). SHS exposure at home (β2 = 0.10, p-value = 0.09; β3 = −0.03, p-value = 0.14) and the primary cigarette smoking rate (β2 = 0.03, p-value = 0.10; β3 = 0.008, p-value = 0.15) showed no significant changes in the sampled period. Although analyses stratified by sex showed that the allowance of municipal ordinances resulted in reduced SHS exposure in the workplace for both males and females, they did not affect the primary cigarette smoking rate as much, especially among females.ConclusionStrengthening the role of local governments by giving them the authority to enact and enforce penalties on SHS exposure violation helped ROK to reduce SHS exposure in the workplace. However, smoking behaviors and related activities seemed to shift to less restrictive areas such as on the streets and in apartment hallways, negating some of the effects due to these ordinances. Future studies should investigate how smoke-free policies beyond public places can further reduce the SHS exposure in ROK
NEMISA Digital Skills Conference (Colloquium) 2023
The purpose of the colloquium and events centred around the central role that data plays
today as a desirable commodity that must become an important part of massifying digital
skilling efforts. Governments amass even more critical data that, if leveraged, could
change the way public services are delivered, and even change the social and economic
fortunes of any country. Therefore, smart governments and organisations increasingly
require data skills to gain insights and foresight, to secure themselves, and for improved
decision making and efficiency. However, data skills are scarce, and even more
challenging is the inconsistency of the associated training programs with most curated for
the Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) disciplines.
Nonetheless, the interdisciplinary yet agnostic nature of data means that there is
opportunity to expand data skills into the non-STEM disciplines as well.College of Engineering, Science and Technolog
Analytical validation of innovative magneto-inertial outcomes: a controlled environment study.
peer reviewe
Targeting organogenesis and beta cell survival: role of the LRH1/NR5A2-PTGS2/COX2 signaling axis in pancreatic islet physiology and pathophysiology
Programa de Doctorado en BiotecnologÃa, IngenierÃa y TecnologÃa QuÃmicaLÃnea de Investigación: BiotecnologÃa, Biomedicina y Ciencias de la SaludClave Programa: DBICódigo LÃnea: 110Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus (T1DM) is a disease caused by the selective destruction of pancreatic islet beta cells by aberrant activation of the immune system, characterized by a subsequent chronic unresolved proinflammatory status within the pancreas. Up to date, no effective therapies have been developed to cure this autoimmune disorder, which indeed, apart from the beta cell death and subsequent lack of insulin, leads to long-term complications that substantially impact on life quality and shorten life expectancy. However, our laboratory recently reported promising outcomes from the in vivo activation of a nuclear receptor, denoted as Liver Receptor Homolog 1 (also known as (a.k.a.) Nuclear Receptor Subfamily 5 Group A Member 2, LRH1/NR5A2), using different preclinical mouse models of autoimmune diabetes, and also in vitro, by mimicking the stress/proinflammatory conditions that characterize T1DM in both, mouse and human primary islet-cell cultures. These beneficial effects derived from the treatment with a chemical agonist of LRH1/NR5A2, codename BL001, which potentially favoured a crosstalk between the immune system and islet cells, aimed at protecting the beta cell mass via increasing its survival. Understanding the molecular signaling and consequences derived from LRH1/NR5A2 expression and activation in beta cells was the following step to exploit its therapeutic value within T1DM conditions. In this Thesis, we first uncovered the essential role of LRH1/NR5A2 expression in beta cells during neonatal development. We found that the LRH1/NR5A2 constitutive ablation in the beta cell mass caused a significant reduction of this cell type, mainly characterized by blunted proliferation, along with detrimental consequences in the metabolic and physical health of mouse pups that culminated in early death. We next demonstrated that the LRH1/NR5A2 specific activation in beta cells was the responsible of the beneficial effects observed in vivo, after BL001 treatment. Using an inducible approach, LRH1/NR5A2 ablation in adult beta cells abolished the protective effect of BL001 in streptozotocin (STZ)-treated mice, correlating with an almost complete beta cell mass destruction. In order to get insight into the mode of action of this potential anti-diabetic drug in beta cells, we next explored the molecular branches of the BL001-LRH1/NR5A2 axis, focusing on the inducible Prostaglandin Endoperoxidase Synthase-2 gene (a.k.a. Cyclooxygenase-2, Ptgs2/Cox2), previously shown to be upregulated by BL001, and which plays a role in immunomodulation. Ptgs2/Cox2 downstream signaling involves the secretion of Prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) and activation of one or several Prostaglandin G-protein coupled receptors (a.k.a. E-Prostanoid receptors, PTGERs/EPs). We found that mouse islets treated in vitro with BL001 upon a proinflammatory cytokine (CTK) challenge produced PGE2 massively. Importantly, both silencing of Ptgs2/Cox2 gene or downstream blockade of the anti-apoptotic PTGER1/EP1 receptor negated BL001-mediated increased islet-cell survival upon the CTK treatment, establishing the molecular survival signaling axis in mouse beta cells as follows: BL001-LRH1/NR5A2-Ptgs2/Cox2-PGE2-PTGER1/EP1. In parallel, we uncovered the deleterious role of the pro-apoptotic PTGER3/EP3 in an in vivo context, using the RIP-B7.1 mouse model of autoimmune diabetes. We found that PTGER3/EP3 antagonism reduced insulitis and protected the beta cell mass in these animals. Finally, as a future therapy for T1DM, it was mandatory to translate our survival cascade to a human setting. As such, we successfully recapitulated part of this pathway in human induced-Pluripotent Stem Cells (hiPSCs) derived islet-like organoids. This research work provides a complete molecular characterization of LRH1/NR5A2 activation specifically in the beta cell mass, which could be further fine-tuned to finally develop a successful therapy for T1DM.Universidad Pablo de Olavide de Sevilla. Departamento de BiologÃa Molecular e IngenierÃa BioquÃmic
OccPoIs: Points of Interest based on Neural Network\u27s Key Recovery in Side-Channel Analysis through Occlusion
Deep neural networks (DNNs) represent a powerful technique for assessing cryptographic security concerning side-channel analysis (SCA) due to their ability to aggregate leakages automatically, rendering attacks more efficient without preprocessing. Nevertheless, despite their effectiveness, DNNs employed in SCA are predominantly black-box algorithms, posing considerable interpretability challenges.
In this paper, we propose a novel technique called Key Guessing Occlusion (KGO) that acquires a minimal set of sample points required by the DNN for key recovery, which we call OccPoIs. These OccPoIs provide information on which areas of the traces are important to the DNN for retrieving the key, enabling evaluators to know where to refine their cryptographic implementation.
After obtaining the OccPoIs, we first explore the leakages found in these OccPoIs to understand what the DNN is learning with first-order Correlation Power Analysis (CPA). We show that KGO obtains relevant sample points that have a high correlation with the given leakage model but also acquires sample points that first-order CPA fails to capture. Furthermore, unlike the first-order CPA in the masking setting, KGO obtains these OccPoIs without the knowledge of the shares or mask.
Next, we employ the template attack (TA) using the OccPoIs to investigate if KGO could be used as a feature selection tool.
We show that using the OccPoIs with TA can recover the key for all the considered synchronized datasets and is consistent as a feature selection tool even on datasets protected by first-order masking.
Furthermore, it also allows a more efficient attack than other feature selections on the first-order masking dataset called ASCADf
Plant-derived bioactive compounds for inflammatory diseases
Tese de doutoramento em Engenharia de Tecidos, Medicina Regenerativa e Células EstaminaisA Organização Mundial da Saúde qualifica as doenças inflamatórias crónicas como a principal causa de
morbilidade e mortalidade no mundo. A inflamação crónica é caracterizada por uma resposta inflamatória
anormal e persistente que conduz à disfunção de tecidos e órgãos (p. ex. artrite). Nas últimas décadas,
foram observadas melhorias significativas no tratamento destas doenças. No entanto, a contÃnua
administração de fármacos anti-inflamatórios é limitada devido à sua associação com efeitos secundários
graves. Assim, terapias mais seguras e eficazes devem ser exploradas. As plantas, sendo a base da
medicina tradicional em muitas culturas por milhares de anos, são uma excelente fonte de moléculas
bioativas, tornando-se algumas delas marcos na indústria farmacêutica (p. ex. morfina). Duas plantas
tradicionalmente utilizadas no tratamento de doenças imunológicas são a Salvia officinalis e a Echinacea
purpurea. Todavia, a sua atividade imunomoduladora ainda não foi amplamente estudada de forma a
fornecer evidências cientÃficas sólidas acerca da sua eficácia. Neste trabalho foram preparados extratos
de diferentes órgãos dessas plantas (flores, folhas e raÃzes) para explorar o seu potencial como
formulações pró- ou anti-inflamatórias. Diferentes solventes e métodos de extração foram usados para
preparar extratos com diferentes caracterÃsticas. Em particular, os extratos da E. purpurea foram
separados em duas frações (fenóis/ácidos carboxÃlicos e alquilamidas) para permitir identificar a classe
de compostos responsável pela maior bioatividade. A composição quÃmica dos extratos e das frações foi
caracterizada por diferentes técnicas cromatográficas. A atividade antioxidante das diferentes
formulações foi avaliada na presença de espécies reativas relevantes. Os efeitos pró- e anti-inflamatórios
dos diferentes extratos e frações foram investigados, respetivamente, em macrófagos não estimulados e
estimulados com lipopolissacarÃdeos. Relativamente à s propriedades pró-inflamatórias, somente os
extratos aquosos de E. purpurea demonstraram bioatividade ao induzir as principais vias de sinalização
inflamatória e os mediadores pró-inflamatórios. Considerando as atividades antioxidantes e anti inflamatórias, todos os extratos e frações preparados apresentaram grande eficácia, a qual foi
influenciada pelo método de extração, solvente utilizado e órgão da planta selecionado. Posteriormente,
o extrato mais promissor foi encapsulado em vesÃculas unilamelares grandes, funcionalizadas com ácido
fólico, com o objetivo de melhorar a sua biodistribuição. Por fim, demonstrou-se a segurança e a eficácia
terapêutica desta formulação num modelo experimental de inflamação em ratos. Assim, concluiu-se que
os extratos de plantas são formulações com grande potencial para serem posteriormente utilizadas como
base no tratamento eficaz de doenças que afetam o sistema imunológico, seja quando este está
comprometido ou hiper-reativo.Chronic inflammation-related diseases are ranked by the World Health Organization as the major cause
of morbidity and mortality in the world. Chronic inflammation is characterized by a persistent and
abnormal inflammatory response that leads to tissue damage and/or dysfunction (e.g., arthritis). There
were remarkable improvements in the last decades in the management of chronic inflammatory diseases.
However, the constant administration of the clinically available anti-inflammatory drugs is limited due to
their association with serious side effects. Therefore, alternative, safer and more effective therapies must
be investigated. Plants, being the basis of traditional medicine in many cultures for thousands of years,
are a rich source of bioactive molecules. Some of them became landmarks in the pharmaceutical field
(e.g., morphine). Two plants traditionally used in the treatment of immune-related diseases are Salvia
officinalis and Echinacea purpurea. However, their immunomodulatory activity has not been extensively
studied in a scientifically soundness. Therefore, in this work, we obtained extracts from different organs
of those plants (flowers, leaves, and roots) to explore their potential as pro- or anti-inflammatory
formulations. Different solvents and extraction methods were used to prepare a variety of extracts.
Particularly for E. purpurea extracts were fractionated into phenolic/carboxylic acids and alkylamide
fractions to identify the class of compounds responsible for the strongest bioactivity. Then, the chemical
fingerprint in the extracts and fractions was evaluated by different chromatographic techniques. The
antioxidant activity of the different formulations was evaluated against relevant reactive species. The proand anti-inflammatory effects of the different extracts and fractions were evaluated using non-stimulated
and lipopolysaccharide-stimulated macrophages, respectively. Regarding pro-inflammatory properties,
aqueous E. purpurea extracts were the most promising by the induction of main inflammatory signaling
pathways and pro-inflammatory mediators. Considering antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities, all
the developed extracts displayed strong efficacy that was influenced by the extraction method, solvent
used, and source organ of the plant. Afterward, the most promising extract was loaded in folic acidfunctionalized large unilamellar vesicles (FLUVs) to improve its therapeutic biodistribution. Finally, it was
demonstrated in an experimental rat model of inflammation the safety and enhanced therapeutic efficacy
of the most powerful extracts loaded in FLUVs. Therefore, we showed that the plant extracts are promising
natural formulations that can be further used as a basis for the effective treatment for disorders in which
the immune system is either overactive or impaired.Fundação para a Ciência e Tecnologia (FCT) for my Ph.D. scholarships (PD/BD/135246/2017 and COVID/BD/152012/2021) and the Ph.D. programme in Advanced Therapies for Health (PATH, PD/00169/2013)
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Policy options for food system transformation in Africa and the role of science, technology and innovation
As recognized by the Science, Technology and Innovation Strategy for Africa – 2024 (STISA-2024), science, technology and innovation (STI) offer many opportunities for addressing the main constraints to embracing transformation in Africa, while important lessons can be learned from successful interventions, including policy and institutional innovations, from those African countries that have already made significant progress towards food system transformation. This chapter identifies opportunities for African countries and the region to take proactive steps to harness the potential of the food and agriculture sector so as to ensure future food and nutrition security by applying STI solutions and by drawing on transformational policy and institutional innovations across the continent. Potential game-changing solutions and innovations for food system transformation serving people and ecology apply to (a) raising production efficiency and restoring and sustainably managing degraded resources; (b) finding innovation in the storage, processing and packaging of foods; (c) improving human nutrition and health; (d) addressing equity and vulnerability at the community and ecosystem levels; and (e) establishing preparedness and accountability systems. To be effective in these areas will require institutional coordination; clear, food safety and health-conscious regulatory environments; greater and timely access to information; and transparent monitoring and accountability systems
Beam scanning by liquid-crystal biasing in a modified SIW structure
A fixed-frequency beam-scanning 1D antenna based on Liquid Crystals (LCs) is designed for application in 2D scanning with lateral alignment. The 2D array environment imposes full decoupling of adjacent 1D antennas, which often conflicts with the LC requirement of DC biasing: the proposed design accommodates both. The LC medium is placed inside a Substrate Integrated Waveguide (SIW) modified to work as a Groove Gap Waveguide, with radiating slots etched on the upper broad wall, that radiates as a Leaky-Wave Antenna (LWA). This allows effective application of the DC bias voltage needed for tuning the LCs. At the same time, the RF field remains laterally confined, enabling the possibility to lay several antennas in parallel and achieve 2D beam scanning. The design is validated by simulation employing the actual properties of a commercial LC medium
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