An investigation on the generative mechanisms of Dark Net markets

In this paper we investigate the Dark Net which is the part of Internet accessible only via special browsers such as Tor. The Dark Net is the home of black-markets for illegal goods and services such as drugs, weapons and fake identities. In this study we investigate the Dark Net as a digital infrastructure over time to address the following research question: what are the forces underlying Dark Net markets? Our empirical approach is based on a set of techniques for accessing Dark Net marketplaces (DNM) and collecting various types of information on sites, transactions and users. We draw also on secondary sources such as reports of police interventions and interviews. Our analysis follows the tradition of critical realism to shed light on the generative mechanisms enabling Dark Net markets to operate and survive

THE BRIGHT AND DARK SIDE OF FINANCIAL SERVICES ECOSYSTEM

In this brief contribution we focus on the co-evolution of cybercrime and cybersecurity practices in the banking and financial sector. We draw on previous studies on outlaw innovation and organizational morphing to reconstruct the parallel and mutually influenced evolution of the bright and dark side of financial services. We identify five phases from the late 90s to the post-2015 period that show the paired configuration in actors, techniques, collaborative actions, and venues in the morphing of the two opposing sides. This paper constitutes the first step towards a broader empirical analysis on the generativity of opposing forces in digital ecosystems

Systems integration capabilities in public organizations: a study in the transport sector

This paper assesses how strategic innovation management studies ap- plied in transport and mobility infrastructure projects can impact sustainable and economic growth in under-analysed local areas. To this objective, the system in- tegration theory has been used as theoretical lens. This framework has been ap- plied to analyse a case study in the Public sector, highlighting how systems inte- gration capabilities represent a new opportunities for smart transformation lo- cally. The enquiry has found system integration capabilities in the public sector and performance measurement in a long-term view as two main assumptions im- plying a real change. By putting together these conditions, the paper\u27s main con- tributions point to refining the different actor\u27s roles. The well-coordinated Stra- tegic, Technical-Tactic, and Operational levels are proposed as crucial toward any realistic smart locality evolution

Online Black-Markets: An Investigation of a Digital Infrastructure in the Dark

This paper investigates the functioning of Online Black-Markets (OBMs), i.e. a digital infrastructure operating in the Dark Net that enables the exchange of illegal goods such as drugs, weapons and fake digital identities. OBMs exist notwithstanding adverse conditions such as police interventions, scams and market breakdowns. Relying on a longitudinal case study, we focus on the dynamics of interactions among actors and marketplace technologies and we identify three mechanisms explaining OBMs operations. In particular, we show that OBMs infrastructure is the result of commoditization, platformization and resilience processes. Our contribution relies on the identification of community-based mechanisms that generate the OBMs infrastructure, extending the current understanding of e-commerce and social commerce

Specialised capabilities in integrated solutions: the role of fit

Abstract: Contingency theory suggests that the selection of coherent combinations of organisational capabilities and operational environments has important performance implications. This paper builds upon this perspective to analyse the emergence of a new business model that is modifying the structure of many industries: the provision of integrated solutions. The aim of the paper is to examine the strategic decisions behind the adoption of a business model based on integrated solutions and to understand how internal firm capabilities must be modified to match the external environment. Relying on primary data from 102 European IT firms, we discuss the value of specialised capabilities, and we analyse their degree of fit with the operational environment in which they are applied. Results show that solution providers that possess specialised capabilities obtain greater benefits when they operate in homogeneous environments. Keywords: contingency theory; integrated solutions; IT sector; capabilities. Reference to this paper should be made as follows: Ceci, F

Moringa oleifera leaf extract influences oxidative metabolism in C2C12 myotubes through SIRT1-PPARα pathway

Abstract Background Moringa oleifera is an important traditional multipurpose plant, due to the presence of many bioactive compounds. Moringa oleifera leaf extracts (MOLE) have been shown to have many beneficial properties in pathological conditions including diabete. However, the lack of information about its exact molecular mechanism of action might hinder other potential use in different areas such as skeletal muscle physiology. Hypothesis/purpose Skeletal muscle represents about 40-50% of the total mass of a lean individual and is an insulin-sensitive tissue with wide variations in energy requirements. We aimed to test the effects of MOLE on oxidative metabolism and the molecular mechanism involved on myotubes by using C2C12 cell line, a well known model for in vitro skeletal muscle studies. Study design C2C12 myotubes were treated with MOLE at different working solutions for 24 and 48 hours and then culture media and cellular extracts were collected. MOLE was screened for phytochemicals determination. Methods Glucose and free fatty acids consumption along with lactate release were assessed in the culture media. Citrate sinthase, 3-hydroxy acylCoA dehydrogenase, alanine transglutaminase and creatine kinase enzyme activities, as well as the metabolic regulatory SIRT1 and PPARα protein levels were evaluated in cellular extracts. Results MOLE administration induced a dose and time dependent increase in substrates consumption accompanied by an increase in intracellular oxidative metabolism enzymatic activity levels. The extracts were also able to modulate positively the protein expression of SIRT1 and PPARα. Conclusion Altogether, these data indicate that MOLE could represent a valid nutritional support for improving skeletal muscle metabolism: in fact MOLE treatment increased oxidative energy metabolism and possibly favours mitochondrial biogenesis through SIRT1/PPARα pathway. future studies will clarify wether Moringa oleifera leaf extracts consumption may be useful to improve physical performance and metabolic-related skeletal muscle diseases

Targeting of PDGF-C/NRP-1 autocrine loop as a new strategy for counteracting the invasiveness of melanoma resistant to braf inhibitors

: Melanoma resistance to BRAF inhibitors (BRAFi) is often accompanied by a switch from a proliferative to an invasive phenotype. Therefore, the identification of signaling molecules involved in the development of metastatic properties by resistant melanoma cells is of primary importance. We have previously demonstrated that activation of neuropilin-1 (NRP-1) by platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF)-C confers melanoma cells with an invasive behavior similar to that of BRAFi resistant tumors. Aims of the present study were to evaluate the role of PDGF-C/NRP-1 autocrine loop in the acquisition of an invasive and BRAFi-resistant phenotype by melanoma cells and the effect of its inhibition on drug resistance and extracellular matrix (ECM) invasion. Furthermore, we investigated whether PDGF-C serum levels were differentially modulated by drug treatment in metastatic melanoma patients responsive or refractory to BRAFi as single agents or in combination with MEK inhibitors (MEKi). The results indicated that human melanoma cells resistant to BRAFi express higher levels of PDGF-C and NRP-1 as compared to their susceptible counterparts. Overexpression occurs early during development of drug resistance and contributes to the invasive properties of resistant cells. Accordingly, silencing of NRP-1 or PDGF-C reduces tumor cell invasiveness. Analysis of PDGF-C in the serum collected from patients treated with BRAFi or BRAFi+MEKi, showed that in responders PDGF-C levels decrease after treatment and raise again at tumor progression. Conversely, in non-responders treatment does not affect PDGF-C serum levels. Thus, blockade of NRP-1 activation by PDGF-C might represent a new therapeutic approach to counteract the invasiveness of BRAFi-resistant melanoma

Aberrant salience in cannabis-induced psychosis: a comparative study

© 2024 The Author(s). This is an open access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (CC BY), https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/Background: Natural Cannabis (NC) and Synthetic Cannabinoids (SCs) use can increase the risk and exacerbate the course of psychotic disorders. These could be influenced by the Aberrant Salience (AS) construct. It refers to an excess of attribution of meaning to stimuli that are otherwise regarded as neutral, thereby transform them into adverse, dangerous, or mysterious entities. This leads the patient to engage in aberrant and consequently incorrect interpretative efforts concerning the normal perception of reality and its relationship with our analytical abilities. AS appears to play a significant role in the onset and perpetuation of psychotic disorders. The internal conflict arising from aberrant attributions of significance leads to delusional thoughts, ultimately culminating in the establishment of a self-sustaining psychosis. Aims: To examine the differences between psychoses course not associated with cannabis use and those associated with NC-use and SCs-use, in terms of psychotic and dissociative symptoms, AS, global functioning and suicidal ideation. Methods: A sample of 62 patients with First Episode Psychosis (FEP) was divided into 3 groups: non cannabis users (non-users, N = 20); NC-users or rather Delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) users (THC-users, N = 21); SCs-users, commonly referred to as SPICE-users (SPICE-users, N = 20). Each group underwent assessments at the onset of psychotic symptoms, as well as at the 3 months and 6 months marks, utilizing a range of psychopathological scales. These included the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS) for investigating psychotic symptoms, the Global Assessment of Functioning (GAF) scale for assessing overall functioning, the Dissociative Experiences Scale (DES-II) for measuring dissociative symptoms, the Scale for Suicide Ideation (SSI) for evaluating suicidal ideation and the Aberrant Salience Inventory (ASI) scale for gauging AS. Results: SPICE-users showed more severe and persistent positive symptoms, while negative symptoms were mostly represented among non-users. Non-users showed better recovery than SPICE-users in global functioning. All groups showed a decrease in both ASI scores and subscale scores. SPICE-users exhibited higher global AS scores and less improvement in this aspect compared to other groups. Conclusion: This study may help understanding the role of AS in both non-substance-related and substance-induced psychosis. This knowledge may lead clinician to a better diagnosis and identify patient-tailored psychopharmacological treatment.Peer reviewe

Preface of the 31st Italian Symposium on Advanced Database Systems

This volume contains the proceedings of the 31st Italian Symposium on Advanced Database Systems (SEBD - Sistemi Evoluti per Basi di Dati), held in Galzinagno Terme (Padua, Italy) from 2 to 5 July 2023.</p

Preface of the 31st Italian Symposium on Advanced Database Systems

This volume contains the proceedings of the 31st Italian Symposium on Advanced Database Systems (SEBD - Sistemi Evoluti per Basi di Dati), held in Galzinagno Terme (Padua, Italy) from 2 to 5 July 2023.</p