Trust in Artificial Intelligence: Toward Measuring the Impact of Public Perception

Applications of Artificial Intelligence (AI) are currently seen in almost every sector. Some of the common examples of AI applications are visible in recommender systems such as movie recommendations, books recommendation, restaurant recommendations, etc. Earlier, the role of trust in technology adoption was recognized in the Information Systems (IS) discipline. Thus, with the growing use of AI, identifying the factors contributing toward building trust in this technology has become a critical issue. The public perception of AI was found to reveal trust toward AI (Zhang 2021). Therefore, we propose to measure the impact of two dimensions of AI public perception toward building trust in this technology. These two dimensions are control of AI and ethics in AI. We also propose to include a mediating factor called mood. These dimensions and the mediating factor were found as a component of public perception of AI in a previous study. This study used a dataset of trends in public perception of AI extracted from news articles published in the New York Times over 30 years (Fast and Horvitz 2017). The dimensions of trust that may impact trust in AI have been identified previously (Glikson and Woolley 2020). These dimensions were based on two aspects of trust – cognitive trust and emotional trust. Although separate dimensions for each of these aspects have been identified, some of them seem to overlap. The dimensions of cognitive trust include tangibility, transparency, reliability, task characteristics, and immediacy behavior. On the other hand, the dimensions of emotional trust also include tangibility, and immediacy behaviors, in addition to anthropomorphism. Our proposed dimensions will have an impact on both cognitive trust and emotional trust in AI. However, control and ethics will have a direct impact on cognitive trust, and an indirect impact on emotional trust through the mediating factor mood. In a previous study, mood was identified as an internal factor that can alter trust in AI (Hoff and Bashir 2015). In the dataset to be used for this study, the variable named “control” indicates whether a certain paragraph in an article implies public concern about the loss of control in AI. On the other hand, the variable named “ethics” indicates the presence of ethical concern in public perception. The mediating variable “mood” is measured ranging from pessimistic to optimistic. For the purpose of our study, we will measure the direct impact of “control” and “ethics” toward building trust in AI, as well as the indirect impact through the mediating variable “mood”. We plan to use structural equation modeling (SEM) for the analysis, as it will enable us to measure the impact of the mediating variable in this context

Electrochemical detection of chemical warfare agents

tert-butyl 1’-methoxycarbonyl-1-ferrocenecarbamate, Boc-NH-Fc-COOMe, (1) was synthesized according to the literature procedure and modified to 1-amino-n′-ferrocenemethylcarboxylate, 1,n′-H2N-Fc-COOCH3 (2) by removing the Boc-group with TFA/Et3N mixture in dichloromethane. Compound 2 reacted with alkylating agents like MeI, EtI, EtSCH2CH2Cl (MA) and (CN)(EtO)2P(O) (NA) to form MeNH-Fc-COOMe (3), EtNH-Fc-COOMe (4), EtSCH2CH2NH-Fc-COOMe (5), (EtO)2P(O)NH-Fc-COOMe (6), respectively. Cyclic voltammetry (CV) of these compounds showed different half-wave potential characteristics compared to aminoferrocene and was dependent on the nature of the substituents, which was rationalized by molecular orbital calculations. Electron donating groups (Me, Et and 2-chloroethyl ethylsulfide, MA) shifted the half-wave potential towards the cathodic direction while electron withdrawing group like diethyl cyanophosphonate, NA, shifted it toward anodic direction. Anodic to cathodic peak separation were found to be within 62-88 mV indicating a quasi-reversible system. Hydrolysis of compound 1 resulted in the formation of tert-butyl 1’-methoxycarbonyl-1-ferrocenecarboxylic acid, Boc-NH-Fc-COOH, (11) which was coupled with cystamine using the EDC/HOBt protocol to synthesize the cystamine conjugate [BocHN-Fc-CO-CSA]2 (12). This molecule is equipped with an amino group that directly linked to the redox receptor. Compound 12 was fully characterized by spectroscopic methods and by single crystal x-ray diffraction. The cystamine conjugate 12 formed films on gold substrates, which upon deprotection of the amino group, reacted with chemical warfare agents (CWAs) mimics, such as EtSCH2CH2Cl (MA), a simulant for the sulfur mustard HD, and (CN)(EtO)2P(O) (NA), a simulant for the nerve agent Tabun. Their reaction with the surface-bound ferrocene derivative results in the formation of N-substituted products. CV measurements showed anodic shifts of the Fc redox potentials by 50 (±5) mV after exposure to MA, and NA. Measurements by quartz crystal microbalance (QCM) showed an increase in mass upon exposure to MA and NA. Ellipsometry measured a film thickness increase from 6 (±1) Å for the deprotected film to 10 (±4) Å for the film modified with MA and to 7 (±2) Å for the film modified with NA. The surfaces were analyzed by x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and clearly showed the attachment of the cystamine conjugate on the surface and its reaction with CWAs mimics

Perception of SME Growth Constraints in Bangladesh: An Empirical Examination from Institutional Perspective

This article wrestles with the perception of concern institutions[1]/organisations for developing small and medium enterprise (SMEs) development of Bangladesh. The findings include the need for perceptual as well as conceptual development in the present practice of enterprise/entrepreneurship development of Bangladesh. The summary and conclusion emphasised the importance of comprehensive training for the concerned organisation for successful SME sector. Recommendations that could help sustain emerging as well as existing small enterprises and other concerned organisations.   Keywords: Small Enterprise, Perception, Growth Determinants, and Frame of Reference [1] Institution refers in this study as “it is mechanism that sets humanly devised rules in a society that shape human interaction. In consequence they structure incentives and reward in human exchange, whether political, social or economic. Institutional change shapes the way societies evolve through time and hence is the key to understanding historical change” (see more in North 1990:p.3).

Suppression of inflammatory mediators by aqueous leaf extract of Crotalaria verrucosa: in vivo and in vitro analysis

Background: Crotalaria verrucosa is a traditional plant frequently prescribed by the tribes for its medicinal value against inflammation. The present study was designed to investigate the scientific basis for medicinal value in inflammation by in vivo and in vitro analysis.Methods: Anti-inflammatory activity of the plant’s leaf was evaluated by two in vivo methods - carrageenan induced rat paw edema and xylene induced mice ear edema. Moreover, in vitro analysis was performed through heat induced hemolysis and heat induced protein denaturation methods.Results: The inflammation produced by carrageenan and xylene were effectively suppressed by the aqueous leaf extract of C. verrucosa (CVAQ) at 600 mg/kg body weight which was comparable to the standards. In heat induced hemolysis test the extract was able to inhibit the lysis up to 70% at 500 µg/ml whereas in heat induced protein denaturation test it reduces the percentage till 69% at the same concentration.Conclusions: The findings suggested that CVAQ possess moderate to high anti-inflammatory activity when applied in low to high concentrated doses. However, the study can only conclude from this basic evaluation that the extract needs to be further investigated for identifying the potential compound which contributed to such medicinal value of the plant

Frequency reliant wireless power transfer link for a applications of mWatts devices

In general, the resonant inductive wireless power transfer is superior in power efficiency consequently provides longer transfer range over inductive or capacitive wireless power transfer. For that reason, the theoretical analysis and simulation results of the series-to-series wireless power transfer topology were discussed in this paper. The study is conducted to analyze the effect of the coupling coefficient (k) of the coupling coils to the resonant frequency and input impedance of the transmitting circuit. The analysis is conducted by analyzing the equivalent circuit model by using circuit theory. The equivalent circuit model is developed by using the T-equivalent circuit. Further, the result is validated with the circuit simulation using the ISIS Proteus simulation package. The results of the analysis used in developing the highly efficient series-to-series wireless power transfer

An estimation of the coupling coefficient of the series inductive resonant wireless power transfer coils

Though the power transfer efficiency of the inductive resonant wireless power transfer is relatively high, the power transfer efficiency of the inductive resonant wireless power transfer is undoubtedly depending on the coupling coefficient. Coupled with the coupling coefficient, the highest possible power transfer efficiency can be achieved by controlling the operating frequency with impedance matching. Therefore, the relationship of the input impedance to the variation of the coupling coefficient is of paramount importance in maintaining the highest possible power transfer efficiency for a given coupling coefficient. This paper presents the relationship of the input impedance of the series-to-series inductive resonant wireless power transfer to the variations of the coupling coefficient. The analysis is carried out by using the T-equivalent circuit, producing analytical results for comparison and validation by equivalently obtained simulation results, guarantying the maximum power transfer efficiency for a typical series-to-series inductive resonant link. The modeling validity is shown by percentage error in between the analytical and simulation results. The novelty of this paper is in the simplicity of the coupling coefficient estimation by reference to the input impedanc

Complementing compost with biochar for agriculture, soil remediation and climate mitigation

We are racing to manage a phenomenally increasing volume of organic wastes from urban, industrial and agricultural entities. Composting is one of the preferred ways to convert biodegradable wastes into nutrient-rich soil conditioners. The age-old technique of composting process is being improved with innovative scientific means. Biochar, a widely studied soil amendment, is a carbonaceous material that can hold nutrients from endogenic/exogenic sources. Biochar-compost, a biochar-complemented compost, may provide a wide range of benefits expected from both materials. Compost and biochar can improve physicochemical and microbiological attributes of soils by supplying labile and stable carbons, and nutrients. Compost may also supply beneficial microbes. This means biochar-compost is a synergic soil amendment that can improve soil quality, increase crop production, and remediate contaminated soils. Having stable carbon, large reactive surface with nutrient loads, biochar can interact widely with organic biomass and modify physicochemical and-microbial states during a composting process while making biochar-compost. Production and application methods of biochar, compost and biochar-compost are covered for agricultural and contaminated soils. Metal and organic contaminations are also discussed. A case study on making and field-testing a mineral-enhanced biochar and a biochar-compost to improve rice yield, is presented at the end

Antimicrobial resistance among migrants in Europe: a systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND: Rates of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) are rising globally and there is concern that increased migration is contributing to the burden of antibiotic resistance in Europe. However, the effect of migration on the burden of AMR in Europe has not yet been comprehensively examined. Therefore, we did a systematic review and meta-analysis to identify and synthesise data for AMR carriage or infection in migrants to Europe to examine differences in patterns of AMR across migrant groups and in different settings. METHODS: For this systematic review and meta-analysis, we searched MEDLINE, Embase, PubMed, and Scopus with no language restrictions from Jan 1, 2000, to Jan 18, 2017, for primary data from observational studies reporting antibacterial resistance in common bacterial pathogens among migrants to 21 European Union-15 and European Economic Area countries. To be eligible for inclusion, studies had to report data on carriage or infection with laboratory-confirmed antibiotic-resistant organisms in migrant populations. We extracted data from eligible studies and assessed quality using piloted, standardised forms. We did not examine drug resistance in tuberculosis and excluded articles solely reporting on this parameter. We also excluded articles in which migrant status was determined by ethnicity, country of birth of participants' parents, or was not defined, and articles in which data were not disaggregated by migrant status. Outcomes were carriage of or infection with antibiotic-resistant organisms. We used random-effects models to calculate the pooled prevalence of each outcome. The study protocol is registered with PROSPERO, number CRD42016043681. FINDINGS: We identified 2274 articles, of which 23 observational studies reporting on antibiotic resistance in 2319 migrants were included. The pooled prevalence of any AMR carriage or AMR infection in migrants was 25·4% (95% CI 19·1-31·8; I2 =98%), including meticillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (7·8%, 4·8-10·7; I2 =92%) and antibiotic-resistant Gram-negative bacteria (27·2%, 17·6-36·8; I2 =94%). The pooled prevalence of any AMR carriage or infection was higher in refugees and asylum seekers (33·0%, 18·3-47·6; I2 =98%) than in other migrant groups (6·6%, 1·8-11·3; I2 =92%). The pooled prevalence of antibiotic-resistant organisms was slightly higher in high-migrant community settings (33·1%, 11·1-55·1; I2 =96%) than in migrants in hospitals (24·3%, 16·1-32·6; I2 =98%). We did not find evidence of high rates of transmission of AMR from migrant to host populations. INTERPRETATION: Migrants are exposed to conditions favouring the emergence of drug resistance during transit and in host countries in Europe. Increased antibiotic resistance among refugees and asylum seekers and in high-migrant community settings (such as refugee camps and detention facilities) highlights the need for improved living conditions, access to health care, and initiatives to facilitate detection of and appropriate high-quality treatment for antibiotic-resistant infections during transit and in host countries. Protocols for the prevention and control of infection and for antibiotic surveillance need to be integrated in all aspects of health care, which should be accessible for all migrant groups, and should target determinants of AMR before, during, and after migration. FUNDING: UK National Institute for Health Research Imperial Biomedical Research Centre, Imperial College Healthcare Charity, the Wellcome Trust, and UK National Institute for Health Research Health Protection Research Unit in Healthcare-associated Infections and Antimictobial Resistance at Imperial College London

Surgical site infection after gastrointestinal surgery in high-income, middle-income, and low-income countries: a prospective, international, multicentre cohort study

Background: Surgical site infection (SSI) is one of the most common infections associated with health care, but its importance as a global health priority is not fully understood. We quantified the burden of SSI after gastrointestinal surgery in countries in all parts of the world. Methods: This international, prospective, multicentre cohort study included consecutive patients undergoing elective or emergency gastrointestinal resection within 2-week time periods at any health-care facility in any country. Countries with participating centres were stratified into high-income, middle-income, and low-income groups according to the UN's Human Development Index (HDI). Data variables from the GlobalSurg 1 study and other studies that have been found to affect the likelihood of SSI were entered into risk adjustment models. The primary outcome measure was the 30-day SSI incidence (defined by US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention criteria for superficial and deep incisional SSI). Relationships with explanatory variables were examined using Bayesian multilevel logistic regression models. This trial is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov, number NCT02662231. Findings: Between Jan 4, 2016, and July 31, 2016, 13 265 records were submitted for analysis. 12 539 patients from 343 hospitals in 66 countries were included. 7339 (58·5%) patient were from high-HDI countries (193 hospitals in 30 countries), 3918 (31·2%) patients were from middle-HDI countries (82 hospitals in 18 countries), and 1282 (10·2%) patients were from low-HDI countries (68 hospitals in 18 countries). In total, 1538 (12·3%) patients had SSI within 30 days of surgery. The incidence of SSI varied between countries with high (691 [9·4%] of 7339 patients), middle (549 [14·0%] of 3918 patients), and low (298 [23·2%] of 1282) HDI (p < 0·001). The highest SSI incidence in each HDI group was after dirty surgery (102 [17·8%] of 574 patients in high-HDI countries; 74 [31·4%] of 236 patients in middle-HDI countries; 72 [39·8%] of 181 patients in low-HDI countries). Following risk factor adjustment, patients in low-HDI countries were at greatest risk of SSI (adjusted odds ratio 1·60, 95% credible interval 1·05–2·37; p=0·030). 132 (21·6%) of 610 patients with an SSI and a microbiology culture result had an infection that was resistant to the prophylactic antibiotic used. Resistant infections were detected in 49 (16·6%) of 295 patients in high-HDI countries, in 37 (19·8%) of 187 patients in middle-HDI countries, and in 46 (35·9%) of 128 patients in low-HDI countries (p < 0·001). Interpretation: Countries with a low HDI carry a disproportionately greater burden of SSI than countries with a middle or high HDI and might have higher rates of antibiotic resistance. In view of WHO recommendations on SSI prevention that highlight the absence of high-quality interventional research, urgent, pragmatic, randomised trials based in LMICs are needed to assess measures aiming to reduce this preventable complication