Integrating value modeling and legal risk management: an IT case study

Information Systems and e-Business Management - Companies need to be able to demonstrate compliance with rules and regulations, especially start-ups who typically do not have the legal expertise to...     

A hybrid dynamic motion prediction method for multibody digital human models based on a motion database and motion knowledge

In this paper, we present a novel method to predict human motion, seeking to combine the advantages of both data-based and knowledge-based motion prediction methods. Our method relies on a database of captured motions for reference and introduces knowledge in the prediction in the form of a motion control law, which is followed while resembling the actually performed reference motion. The prediction is carried out by solving an optimization problem in which the following conditions are imposed to the motion: must fulfill the goals of the task; resemble the reference motion selected from the database; follow a knowledge-based dynamic motion control law; and ensure the dynamic equilibrium of the human model, considering its interactions with the environment. In this work, we apply the proposed method to a database of clutch pedal depression motions, and we present the results for three predictions. The method is validated by comparing the results of the prediction to motions actually performed in similar conditions. The predicted motions closely resemble the motions in the validation database and no significant differences have been noted either in the motion’s kinematics or in the motion’s dynamics.     

The Geography of Logistics Firm Location: The Role of Accessibility

The organization of modern economies is built upon an efficient transport system and an increasing role is played by the logistics sector in overcoming the constraints of time and distance in modern supply chains. While a large body of literature is dedicated to the spatial distribution of firms and firm location choice in general, surprisingly little is still known about the location patterns of logistics firms, and more specifically about the role of accessibility in their location decisions. We use geo-referenced firm level data along with detailed information on transport infrastructure in order to investigate the geography of logistics firms in Spain. We place specific attention to the relationship between logistics firm location, accessibility, and urban structure. Our results show that these firms are located closer to highways and other transport infrastructure compared to other sectors and that the logistics sector is highly urbanized. Yet, they are also locating increasingly in suburban locations and to some extent in extra-urban locations with good accessibility while central cities of urban areas have experienced a declining share of logistics firms.     

Snap-back Analysis of Fracture Evolution in Multi-Cracked Solids Using Boundary Element Method

According to the Linear Elastic Fracture Mechanics criteria, a numerical model is developed to simulate the failure evolution of multi-cracked finite plates by means of an incremental loading procedure. A modified crack length control scheme is used in order to analyse such problems depending on one or more independent parameters. The aim is to provide information about a discontinuous response, such as the snap-back instability, which can be highlighted only by a deformation controlled process. The load vs. displacement curve, included possible snap-back branches, is numerically traced by means of a procedure based on the Displacement Discontinuity Boundary Element Method. With reference to finite plates with ordered crack distributions in plane strain loading conditions, the model is applied in order to analyse the effects of the crack interaction on the fracture evolution. This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Effectiveness of rank correlations in curvilinear relationships

Behaviormetrika - In cases where only linear relationships are suspected, Pearson’s correlation is generally used to measure the strength of the association between variables. It is...     

A systematic approach to design against wear for Powder Metallurgy (PM) steel parts: The case of dry rolling–sliding wear

Aim of this work is proposing a systematic design approach for wear resistant components produced by Powder Metallurgy (PM). Wear is a cause of failure for many industrial PM parts. Gears and cams, for example, are subjected to rolling and rolling–sliding wear, dry or lubricated depending on the applications. The design criteria are mostly empirical, thus resulting fully conservative, sometimes excessively conservative. A need for defining design criteria for wear resistant PM parts is thus revealed, to exploit at best the specific characteristics of both technology and materials.     

Highly Charged Ru(II) Polypyridyl Complexes as Photosensitizer Agents in Photodynamic Therapy of Epithelial Ovarian Cancer Cells

Ovarian cancer recurrence is frequent and associated with chemoresistance, leading to extremely poor prognosis. Herein, we explored the potential anti-cancer effect of a series of highly charged Ru(II)-polypyridyl complexes as photosensitizers in photodynamic therapy (PDT), which were able to efficiently sensitize the formation of singlet oxygen upon irradiation (Ru1²⁺ and Ru2²⁺) and to produce reactive oxygen species (ROS) in their corresponding dinuclear metal complexes with the Fenton active Cu(II) ion/s ([CuRu1]⁴⁺ and [Cu₂Ru2]⁶⁺). Their cytotoxic and anti-tumor effects were evaluated on human ovarian cancer A2780 cells both in the absence or presence of photoirradiation, respectively. All the compounds tested were well tolerated under dark conditions, whereas they switched to exert anti-tumor activity following photoirradiation. The specific effect was mediated by the onset of programed cell death, but only in the case of Ru1²⁺ and Ru2²⁺ was preceded by the loss of mitochondrial membrane potential soon after photoactivation and ROS production, thus supporting the occurrence of apoptosis via type II photochemical reactions. Thus, Ru(II)-polypyridyl-based photosensitizers represent challenging tools to be further investigated in the identification of new therapeutic approaches to overcome the innate chemoresistance to platinum derivatives of some ovarian epithelial cancers and to find innovative drugs for recurrent ovarian cancer.     

L-Carnitine Functionalization to Increase Skeletal Muscle Tropism of PLGA Nanoparticles

Muscular dystrophies are a group of rare genetic pathologies, encompassing a variety of clinical phenotypes and mechanisms of disease. Several compounds have been proposed to treat compromised muscles, but it is known that pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics problems could occur. To solve these issues, it has been suggested that nanocarriers could be used to allow controlled and targeted drug release. Therefore, the aim of this study was to prepare actively targeted poly(lactide-co-glycolide) (PLGA) nanoparticles (NPs) for the treatment of muscular pathologies. By taking advantage of the high affinity for carnitine of skeletal muscle cells due to the expression of Na⁺-coupled carnitine transporter (OCTN), NPs have been actively targeted via association to an amphiphilic derivative of L-carnitine. Furthermore, pentamidine, an old drug repurposed for its positive effects on myotonic dystrophy type I, was incorporated into NPs. We obtained monodispersed targeted NPs, with a mean diameter of about 100 nm and a negative zeta potential. To assess the targeting ability of the NPs, cell uptake studies were performed on C2C12 myoblasts and myotubes using confocal and transmission electron microscopy. The results showed an increased uptake of carnitine-functionalized NPs compared to nontargeted carriers in myotubes, which was probably due to the interaction with OCTN receptors occurring in large amounts in these differentiated muscle cells.     

Circulating Extracellular Vesicles Impair Mesenchymal Stromal Cell Differentiation Favoring Adipogenic Rather than Osteogenic Differentiation in Adolescents with Obesity

Excess body weight has been considered beneficial to bone health because of its anabolic effect on bone formation; however, this results in a poor quality bone structure. In this context, we evaluated the involvement of circulating extracellular vesicles in the impairment of the bone phenotype associated with obesity. Circulating extracellular vesicles were collected from the plasma of participants with normal weight, as well as overweight and obese participants, quantified by flow cytometry analysis and used to treat mesenchymal stromal cells and osteoblasts to assess their effect on cell differentiation and activity. Children with obesity had the highest amount of circulating extracellular vesicles compared to controls. The treatment of mesenchymal stromal cells with extracellular vesicles from obese participants led to an adipogenic differentiation in comparison to vesicles from controls. Mature osteoblasts treated with extracellular vesicles from obese participants showed a reduction in differentiation markers in comparison to controls. Children with obesity who regularly performed physical exercise had a lower circulating extracellular vesicle amount in comparison to those with a sedentary lifestyle. This pilot study demonstrates how the high amount of circulating extracellular vesicles in children with obesity affects the bone phenotype and that physical activity can partially rescue this phenotype.