AI governance:from moral code to Luhmman’s emergent approach of double contingency through reflexive expectation

Artificial Intelligence is already impacting society in multiple ways, from the extraction of resources to build the entire AI ecosystem to the deployment of its services in a variety of social systems. In recent years, discussions and drafts around AI regulation have been raised, mostly by OECD and European Union, with limited normative ethics plurality. From a global perspective, the moral consensus of what is right and wrong became a challenging goal, considering the diversity of contemporary ethical positions in the global community, such as care ethics from the feminist branch or the communality ethics from the global south. In this context, sociology has been suggested to address the question of social order in the era of AI from a contingency and an interdisciplinary approach. More precisely, the theory of social systems of German sociologist Niklas Luhmann has been individualised as the most suitable lens to understand the complexity of AI’s impact on society for placing communication at the centre of the discussion about the interaction between humans and machines. Following the question of how social order could emerge in the AI era, where a highly complex system needs to be regulated by several prerequisites, the emergent approach has been identified as the best solution to understand the conditions of social order. From an extensive Luhmann’s theoretical review, it has been identified a relevant structure called expectation deals with the temporal contingency of moral generalisations and therefore deserved further attention. Through a thematic analysis of Luhmann’s expectation index, it has been understood the necessity of a governance that anticipates AI’s expectation through its own kind, hence, through another AI system because only the AI system could fit the accelerated dynamics of its own structure, observing, and describing alternatives in a timely manner. Furthermore, it is advised the exploration of the role of bias in the reflexive expectation process, a problem not solved by Luhmann

The contribution of Luhmann’s concept of reflexive expectation to the development of AI governance

Artificial Intelligence is already impacting society in multiple ways, from the extraction of resources to build the entire AI ecosystem to the deployment of its services in a variety of social systems. In recent years, discussions and drafts around AI regulation have been raised, mostly by OECD and European Union, with limited normative ethics plurality. From a global perspective, the moral consensus of what is right and wrong became a challenging goal, considering the diversity of contemporary ethical positions in the global community, such as care ethics from the feminist branch or the communality ethics from the global south. In this context, sociology has been suggested to address the question of social order in the era of AI from a contingency and an interdisciplinary approach. More precisely, the theory of social systems of German sociologist Niklas Luhmann has been individualised as the most suitable lens to understand the complexity of AI’s impact on society for placing communication at the centre of the discussion about the interaction between humans and machines. Following the question of how social order could emerge in the AI era, where a highly complex system needs to be regulated by several prerequisites, the emergent approach has been identified as the best solution to understand the conditions of social order. From an extensive Luhmann’s theoretical review, it has been identified a relevant structure called expectation that deals with the temporal contingency of moral generalisations and therefore deserved further attention. Through a thematic analysis of Luhmann’s expectation index, it has been understood the necessity of a governance that anticipates AI’s expectation through its own kind, hence, through another AI system because only the AI system could fit the accelerated dynamics of its own structure, observing, and describing alternatives in a timely manner. Furthermore, it is proposed a novel model of reflexive expectation to solve the bias issue in the double contingency of social systems, been advised further application of the model to AI

Udder morphometry and its relationship with intramammary infections and somatic cell count in Serrana Goats

The present study aimed to characterize the external morphological traits of the mammary gland and their relationships with the presence of intramammary infection and the somatic cell count (SCC) of Serrana goats, Transmontano ecotype. Bifurcated pendular udders, with vertical loose teats and located close to each other, are more likely to have intramammary infection, and have the highest SCC. The udder shape, symmetry, degree of suspension and degree of separation parameters have shown to be significantly different depending on SCC.This work was funded by the project UID/CVT/00772/2019 supported by the Portuguese Science and Technology Foundation (FCT).info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

The effects of reproductive disorders, parity and litter size on milk yield of Serrana goats

Several reproductive factors may a ect milk yield in goats. The main aim of this study was to evaluate the influence of reproductive disorders, parity, and litter size, and their interactions on the 150-day standardized milk yield (SMY150) of low-producing dairy goats extensively raised. A total of 148,084 lactations between 1993 and 2015 were obtained from data of the Genpro pedigree records of the Transmontano ecotype of Serrana goat breed. The presence or absence of reproductive disorders (RD) from late (>half) pregnancy (abortions followed by lactation) or at kidding, number of fetuses (single vs. multiple), and parity (primiparous vs. multiparous) of the Transmontano ecotype of Serrana goat were used as fixed e ects to fit a general linear model for a SMY150 output. A significant e ect (p < 0.001) of all factors on SMY150, as well as three-way interactions, were observed. The SMY150 reduction subsequent to RD was 3.7% for multiparous and 9.6% for primiparous goats carrying singletons, and 14.1% for multiparous and 18.8% primiparous goats carrying multiple fetuses. It was concluded that a new lactation following abortion occurrence is viable for production purpose in low-producing dairy goats under pastoralism. Nevertheless, the impact of RD on SMY150 varied according to the number of fetuses and the parity of the Transmontano ecotype of Serrana goats. This information should be used in decision-making practices regarding reproductive and herd health management.This work was funded by the project UID/CVT/00772/2019 supported by the Portuguese Science and Technology Foundation (FCT).info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Consumo crônico de ração contaminada com herbicida ácido 2,4-diclorofenoxiacético (2,4-D) em roedores: efeitos na saúde reprodutiva masculina

Introduction: The herbicide 2,4 dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D) is one of the most widely used pesticides in the world. There is evidence that this herbicide can induce deleterious effects in non-target organisms, including impairment of reproduction function. Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate the reproductive effects ofthe chronic consumption of contaminated feed with 2,4-D in rats using food environmental spraying simulation. Methods: Animals orally exposed received nebulized chow with 2,4-D solution in different concentrations for 180 days: 0 (control - CG), 20.69 (LCG), 34.63 (MCG), or 51.66 ppm day−1 (HCG). Results: Sperm quality was impaired to 2,4-D. The percentage of sperm with progressive movement, number of sperm in the testis and daily sperm production were decreased in all exposed groups to the herbicide compared to CG. Sperm counts in thecaput/corpus and cauda epididymis were reduced in MCG and HCG, and sperm transit time was delayed in the epididymis of LCG. There was a negative impact on sperm morphology and plasma membrane integrity in MCG and HCG, respectively. Germ cell exfoliation within the lumen of the seminiferous tubules and epithelial vacuolization in epididymis were found in the HCG. Conclusion: This is the first study to describe the negative impact on male reproductive morphophysiology after chronic exposure to 2,4-D using food nebulization in environmentally relevant concentrations, based on agronomic use of the herbicide. The reproductive injuries identified raise concerns about the impacts of wide population exposure to 2,4-D.  Introdução: O herbicida 2,4- ácido diclorofenoxiacético (2,4-D) é um dos agrotóxicos mais utilizados no mundo. Há evidências de que este herbicida pode induzir efeitos deletérios em organismos não-alvo, incluindo prejuízo na função reprodutiva. Objetivo: O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar os efeitos reprodutivos do consumo crônico de ração contaminada com 2,4-D em ratos, utilizando simulação de pulverização ambiental de alimentos. Métodos: Animais expostos oralmente receberam ração nebulizada com solução de 2,4-D em diferentes concentrações por 180 dias: 0 (controle - GC), 20,69 (LCG), 34,63 (MCG) ou 51,66 ppm dia−1 (HCG). Resultados: A qualidade espermática foi prejudicada pelo 2,4-D. A porcentagem de espermatozoides com movimento progressivo, número de espermatozoides no testículo e produção diária de espermatozoides foram menores em todos os grupos expostos ao herbicida, quando comparados ao GC. A contagem de espermatozoides na cabeça/corpo e cauda do epidídimo foi reduzida em MCG e HCG, e o tempo de trânsito espermático atrasou no epidídimo em LCG. Houve impacto negativo na morfologia espermática e na integridade da membrana plasmática em MCG e HCG, respectivamente. Esfoliação de células germinativas no lúmen dos túbulos seminíferos e vacuolização epitelial no epidídimo foram encontradas em HCG. Conclusão: Este é o primeiro estudo a descrever o impacto negativo na morfofisiologia reprodutiva masculina após exposição crônica ao 2,4-D, utilizando nebulização de alimentos em concentrações ambientalmente relevantes, com base no uso agronômico do herbicida. As lesões reprodutivas identificadas levantam preocupações sobre os impactos da ampla exposição da população ao 2,4-D

Solid Waste Generated by Amazon and Tapajós River Vessels: An Environmental Education Activity

Given the lack of research on solid waste generated by vessels and often incorrectly discarded, it became clear the need for a new methodological approach focusing on the knowledge of this theme. Thus this study was conducted focusing on the process of awareness of users of a vessel that made the route that traveled the Amazon River and Tapajós, using an environmental awareness activity, with results and immediate observations. From this, the waste was quantified before and after the interventions, which occurred from the clarification of the environment, solid waste generation, natural resources, water, among others. The research took place aboard a vessel that connects Manaus-AM to Alenquer-PA, evaluating the before and after the intervention. Given this, it is verified that the evaluation process achieved positive results in the minimization of solid waste generated, ensuring that the study has immediate effect, but the intervention measures need time for consolidation, given the responsibility of environmental education, which needs different approaches, under different eyes and with depth of knowledge, even if it requires a long-term process. Therefore, the importance of this type of activity is verified, aiming at the correct destination of the solid waste generated, in any circumstance, mainly in vessels, in different rivers, considering the condition of this natural resource. In addition, user awareness and education through environmental education is mandatory to better understand the impacts caused by different changes over time and needs to be an effective tool to ensure the success of habit transformation processes and quality improvement of life

Steroidogenesis-related gene expression in the rat ovary exposed to melatonin supplementation

OBJECTIVE: To analyze steroidogenesis-related gene expression in the rat ovary exposed to melatonin supplementation. METHODS: Thirty-two virgin adult female rats were randomized to two groups as follows: the control group GI received vehicle and the experimental group GII received melatonin supplementation (10 µg/night per animal) for 60 consecutive days. After the treatment, animals were anesthetized and the collected ovaries were immediately placed in liquid nitrogen for complementary deoxyribonucleic acid microarray analyses. A GeneChip¯ Kit Rat Genome 230 2.0 Affymetrix Array was used for gene analysis and the experiment was repeated three times for each group. The results were normalized with the GeneChip¯ Operating Software program and confirmed through analysis with the secondary deoxyribonucleic acid-Chip Analyzer (dChip) software. The data were confirmed by real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction analysis. Genes related to ovarian function were further confirmed by immunohistochemistry. RESULTS: We found the upregulation of the type 9 adenylate cyclase and inhibin beta B genes and the downregulation of the cyclic adenosine monophosphate response element modulator and cytochrome P450 family 17a1 genes in the ovarian tissue of GII compared to those of the control group. CONCLUSION: Our data suggest that melatonin supplementation decreases gene expression of cyclic adenosine monophosphate, which changes ovarian steroidogenesis