Not in Control,but Liable?Attributing Human Responsibility for Fully Automated Vehicle Accidents

Human agency has become increasingly limited in complex systems with increasingly automated decision-making capabilities.For instance,human occupants are passengers and do not have direct vehicle control in fully automated cars(i.e.,driverless cars).An interesting question is whether users are responsible for the accidents of these cars.Normative ethical and legal analyses frequently argue that individuals should not bear responsibility for harm beyond their control.Here,we consider human judgment of responsibility for accidents involving fully automated cars through three studies with seven experiments(N=2668).We compared the responsibility attributed to the occupants in three conditions:an owner in his private fully automated car,a passenger in a driverless robotaxi,and a passenger in a conventional taxi,where none of these three occupants have direct vehicle control over the involved vehicles that cause identical pedestrian injury.In contrast to normative analyses,we show that the occupants of driverless cars(private cars and robotaxis)are attributed more responsibility than conventional taxi passengers.This dilemma is robust across different contexts(e.g.,participants from China vs the Republic of Korea,participants with first-vs third-person perspectives,and occupant presence vs absence).Furthermore,we observe that this is not due to the perception that these occupants have greater control over driving but because they are more expected to foresee the potential consequences of using driverless cars.Our findings suggest that when driverless vehicles(private cars and taxis)cause harm,their users may face more social pressure,which public discourse and legal regulations should manage appropriately.

Research on the Collaborative Governance of Social Responsibility in Online Audiovisual Enterprises

This paper aims to analyze the present conditions of the social responsibility ecosystem in online audiovisual enterprises in the digital age. It focuses on the governance of social responsibility in these enterprises and conducts an in-depth analysis of the problems and influencing factors related to the social responsibility aberrations of online audiovisual enterprises. Drawing upon social responsibility theory and collaborative governance theory, this research constructs a social responsibility guidance and governance system guided by the public, supported by the voluntary fulfillment of responsibilities by online audiovisual enterprises, and based on the collaborative participation of diverse stakeholders. It explores and optimizes the implementation pathways of this system, providing theoretical support and practical guidance for promoting the sustainable development of online audiovisual enterprises. Furthermore, it aims to contribute to the creation of a harmonious Internet ecosystem.

Practice and Exploration of Ideological and Political Education for Postgraduate Students Under the Mentor Responsibility System

This study aims to address the problems existing in the ideological and political education of postgraduate students,and combines the implementation of the mentor responsibility system to explore the role orientation,work content,and practical effects of mentors in the ideological and political education of postgraduate students.Through questionnaire surveys,interviews,and other research methods,the current situation of ideological and political education of postgraduate students under the mentor responsibility system is analyzed,and corresponding optimization strategies are proposed.

The Correlation between Corporate Social Responsibility(CSR)and Chinese Family Enterprises in China

It is imperative to aggressively advocate for and transmit the ideas of corporate social responsibility as Chinese family enterprises transition into the phase of corporate inheritance.This study conducts a thorough examination of existing literature to elucidate the concept and model of western corporate social responsibility.It also analyses the current state of Chinese corporate social responsibility and highlights the fulfilment of corporate social responsibility by private enterprises.Furthermore,it specifically investigates the significance of family enterprises in promoting and preserving the culture of corporate responsibility.Lastly,it delves into the correlation between corporate social responsibility and family enterprises.This study presents the process of transmission and inheritance of Chinese family firms,focusing on the influence of Chinese traditional culture,the original purpose of enterprise development,and enterprise image.

Corporate Social Responsibility and Shipping Supply Chain Risks

This study aims to investigate whether Corporate Social Responsibility(CSR)activities reduce supply chain disruptions by examining the impact of the Suez Canal obstruction on the Ever Given container ship in March 2021.This study conclude that the more responsible companies have higher returns and are less affected by this event than the less responsible companies;the less responsible companies have lower returns.The companies with better CSR have a lower impact on their supply chains when faced with disruptions in the supply chain.

Research on Corporate Social Responsibility Evaluation Based on Improved CRITIC-TOPSIS—A Case Study of Listed Companies in China’s Pharmaceutical Distribution Industry

Corporate social responsibility (CSR) has garnered considerable attention from countries, institutions, enterprises and social groups. However, the lack of research on CSR evaluation system for industries has impeded its development and construction across various industries. Therefore, given the close association of pharmaceutical distribution enterprises with personal health, there exists a pressing need to explore the CSR in this domain. This paper establishes a CSR evaluation index system for pharmaceutical distribution enterprises, employing a combination of documentary analysis and in-depth interviews. This index system comprises 7 CSR criterion layers (e.g., responsible governance and employee responsibility) and 56 index layers. 25 listed companies in China’s pharmaceutical distribution industry are chosen as research objects, and this study also establishes an evaluation model for the CSR of pharmaceutical distribution companies through the improved Criteria Importance Though Intercrieria Correlation (CRITIC) method combined with The Technique for Order Preference by Similarity to Ideal Solution (TOPSIS) method. The empirical analysis reveals that the responsible governance criterion layer and the social development criterion layer demonstrate the best performance, while the supplier, customer and patient responsibility criterion layer exhibit the worst performance.

Effectiveness of one-to-one feedback methods of teaching with proper metered-dose inhaler technique and correcting errors in chronic obstructive lung disease patients

Objective:To determine the most common mistakes made during the use of a metered-dose inhaler(MDI),and the effect of the repeated trainings performed with demonstration method by providing one-to-one feedback on these mistakes.Methods:This is a quasi-experimental study with a control group.A total of 100 chronic obstructive pulmonary disease(COPD)patients(50 in the control group and 50 in the experimental group)were included in the research.“Patient Information Form(PIF)”(to determine the descriptive characteristics of patients)through the face-to-face interview method,using“MDI Skill Assessment Form”(MDISAF)(it is composed of 10 skill steps about the use of MDI)through observation method was used.Patients in both the groups were asked to use MDI and their abilities regarding use of MDI were assessed.Then in the intervention group,usage of MDI was explained by a nurse via demonstration and placebo MDI.Trainings were repeated on days 1,3,and 5 as from hospitalization of the patient.In the intervention group,three methods were used in this study:“face-to-face training,”“one-to-one,”and“with feedbacks and repeated.”Routine training regarding use of MDI was given by the nurses in the clinic to patients in the control group.The use of an MDI was assessed using MDISAF before training and after the training on the first,third and fifth days of hospitalization.On the seventh day,the last measurement was performed.Percentage,chi square,and mean were used to assess the data.Results:After repetitive training with one-to-one feedback,several differences between the groups in favor of the experimental group were found in 7 of the 10 skill levels of the MDI.There was a significant difference after“training”between the groups in the third,fourth,fifth,sixth,seventh,eighth and ninth MDI steps in posttest measurement(P<0.05).Evaluating the skills of the groups to use MDI from pretest to posttest,it was determined that while the intervention group made less mistakes in steps in which mistakes were made mostly,the control group continued to make mistakes.Conclusions:Inhaler technique intervention with repeated,face to face,and one-to-one feedback trainings can significantly enhance the MDI techniques in COPD patients.The patients in the intervention group made less mistakes during MDI application and their application skills improved.It may be asser ted that the training provided to the intervention group was effective for using the device correctly,while the training provided in the clinic for the control group was inadequate.

Computed tomography radiomic features and clinical factors predicting the response to first transarterial chemoembolization in intermediate-stage hepatocellular carcinoma

Background:According to clinical practice guidelines,transarterial chemoembolization(TACE)is the standard treatment modality for patients with intermediate-stage hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC).Early prediction of treatment response can help patients choose a reasonable treatment plan.This study aimed to investigate the value of the radiomic-clinical model in predicting the efficacy of the first TACE treatment for HCC to prolong patient survival.Methods:A total of 164 patients with HCC who underwent the first TACE from January 2017 to September 2021 were analyzed.The tumor response was assessed by modified response evaluation criteria in solid tumors(mRECIST),and the response of the first TACE to each session and its correlation with overall survival were evaluated.The radiomic signatures associated with the treatment response were identified by the least absolute shrinkage and selection operator(LASSO),and four machine learning models were built with different types of regions of interest(ROIs)(tumor and corresponding tissues)and the model with the best performance was selected.The predictive performance was assessed with receiver operating characteristic(ROC)curves and calibration curves.Results:Of all the models,the random forest(RF)model with peritumor(+10 mm)radiomic signatures had the best performance[area under ROC curve(AUC)=0.964 in the training cohort,AUC=0.949 in the validation cohort].The RF model was used to calculate the radiomic score(Rad-score),and the optimal cutoff value(0.34)was calculated according to the Youden’s index.Patients were then divided into a high-risk group(Rad-score>0.34)and a low-risk group(Rad-score≤0.34),and a nomogram model was successfully established to predict treatment response.The predicted treatment response also allowed for significant discrimination of Kaplan-Meier curves.Multivariate Cox regression identified six independent prognostic factors for overall survival,including male[hazard ratio(HR)=0.500,95%confidence interval(CI):0.260–0.962,P=0.038],alpha-fetoprotein(HR=1.003,95%CI:1.002–1.004,P<0.001),alanine aminotransferase(HR=1.003,95%CI:1.001–1.005,P=0.025),performance status(HR=2.400,95%CI:1.200–4.800,P=0.013),the number of TACE sessions(HR=0.870,95%CI:0.780–0.970,P=0.012)and Rad-score(HR=3.480,95%CI:1.416–8.552,P=0.007).Conclusions:The radiomic signatures and clinical factors can be well-used to predict the response of HCC patients to the first TACE and may help identify the patients most likely to benefit from TACE.

Probiotics: Shaping the gut immunological responses

Probiotics are live microorganisms exerting beneficial effects on the host’s health when administered in adequate amounts.Among the most popular and adequately studied probiotics are bacteria from the families Lactobacillaceae,Bifidobacteriaceae and yeasts.Most of them have been shown,both in vitro and in vivo studies of intestinal inflammation models,to provide favorable results by means of improving the gut microbiota composition,promoting the wound healing process and shaping the immunological responses.Chronic intestinal conditions,such as inflammatory bowel diseases(IBD),are characterized by an imbalance in microbiota composition,with decreased diversity,and by relapsing and persisting inflammation,which may lead to mucosal damage.Although the results of the clinical studies investigating the effect of probiotics on patients with IBD are still controversial,it is without doubt that these microorganisms and their metabolites,now named postbiotics,have a positive influence on both the host’s microbiota and the immune system,and ultimately alter the topical tissue microenvironment.This influence is achieved through three axes:(1)By dis-placement of potential pathogens via competitive exclusion;(2)by offering protection to the host through the secretion of various defensive mediators;and(3)by supplying the host with essential nutrients.We will analyze and discuss almost all the in vitro and in vivo studies of the past 2 years dealing with the possible favorable effects of certain probiotic genus on gut immunological responses,highlighting which species are the most beneficial against intestinal inflammation.

Inflammation: Complexity and significance of cellular and molecular responses

Inflammation is a multifaceted cellular and molecular response triggered by injury,infection,or various pathological conditions.Serving as a protective defense mechanism,the inflammatory response involves clinical signs like redness,swelling,pain,and increased body temperature.Immune cells,notably neutrophils and macrophages,play key roles in orchestrating this response.The delicate balance between proinflammatory and anti-inflammatory mediators,including cytokines and chemokines,regulates the inflammatory cascade.While acute inflammation is crucial for tissue repair,chronic inflammation may indicate an imbalance,contributing to conditions like autoimmune diseases.Understanding these mechanisms is vital for developing therapeutic strategies and managing chronic diseases.

Thermo-hydro-poro-mechanical responses of a reservoir-induced landslide tracked by high-resolution fiber optic sensing nerves

Thermo-poro-mechanical responses along sliding zone/surface have been extensively studied.However,it has not been recognized that the potential contribution of other crucial engineering geological interfaces beyond the slip surface to progressive failure.Here,we aim to investigate the subsurface multiphysics of reservoir landslides under two extreme hydrologic conditions(i.e.wet and dry),particularly within sliding masses.Based on ultra-weak fiber Bragg grating(UWFBG)technology,we employ specialpurpose fiber optic sensing cables that can be implanted into boreholes as“nerves of the Earth”to collect data on soil temperature,water content,pore water pressure,and strain.The Xinpu landslide in the middle reach of the Three Gorges Reservoir Area in China was selected as a case study to establish a paradigm for in situ thermo-hydro-poro-mechanical monitoring.These UWFBG-based sensing cables were vertically buried in a 31 m-deep borehole at the foot of the landslide,with a resolution of 1 m except for the pressure sensor.We reported field measurements covering the period 2021 and 2022 and produced the spatiotemporal profiles throughout the borehole.Results show that wet years are more likely to motivate landslide motions than dry years.The annual thermally active layer of the landslide has a critical depth of roughly 9 m and might move downward in warmer years.The dynamic groundwater table is located at depths of 9e15 m,where the peaked strain undergoes a periodical response of leap and withdrawal to annual hydrometeorological cycles.These interface behaviors may support the interpretation of the contribution of reservoir regulation to slope stability,allowing us to correlate them to local damage events and potential global destabilization.This paper also offers a natural framework for interpreting thermo-hydro-poro-mechanical signatures from creeping reservoir bank slopes,which may form the basis for a landslide monitoring and early warning system.

Effects of Rosa roxburghii&edible fungus fermentation broth on immune response and gut microbiota in immunosuppressed mice

With the rise of probiotics fermentation in food industry,fermented foods have attracted worldwide attention.In this study,protective effects of Rosa roxburghii&edible fungus fermentation broth(REFB)on immune function and gut health in Cyclophosphamide induced immunosuppressed mice were investigated.Results showed that REFB could improve the immune organ index,and promote the proliferation and differentiation of splenic T lymphocytes.In addition,it attenuated intestinal mucosal damage and improved intestinal cellular immunity.REFB administration also up-regulated the expression of IL-4,INF-γ,TNF-α,T-bet and GATA-3 mRNA in small intestine.Furthermore,administration of REFB modulated gut microbiota composition and increased the relative abundance of beneficial genus,such as Bacteroides.It also increased the production of fecal short-chain fatty acids.These indicate that REFB has the potential to improve immunity,alleviate intestinal injury and regulate gut microbiota in immunosuppressed mice.

Time-domain dynamic constitutive model suitable for mucky soil site seismic response

Soil nonlinear behavior displays noticeable effects on the site seismic response.This study proposes a new functional expression of the skeleton curve to replace the hyperbolic skeleton curve.By integrating shear modulus and combining the dynamic skeleton curve and the damping degradation coefficient,the constitutive equation of the logarithmic dynamic skeleton can be obtained,which considers the damping effect in a soil dynamics problem.Based on the finite difference method and the multi-transmitting boundary condition,a 1D site seismic response analysis program called Soilresp1D has been developed herein and used to analyze the time-domain seismic response in three types of sites.At the same time,this study also provides numerical simulation results based on the hyperbolic constitutive model and the equivalent linear method.The results verify the rationality of the new soil dynamic constitutive model.It can analyze the mucky soil site nonlinear seismic response,reflecting the deformation characteristics and damping effect of the silty soil.The hysteresis loop area is more extensive,and the residual strain is evident.

Computed tomography-based nomogram of Siewert type Ⅱ/Ⅲ adenocarcinoma of esophagogastric junction to predict response to docetaxel, oxaliplatin and S-1

BACKGROUND Neoadjuvant chemotherapy(NAC)has become the standard care for advanced adenocarcinoma of esophagogastric junction(AEG),although a part of the patients cannot benefit from NAC.There are no models based on baseline computed tomography(CT)to predict response of Siewert type II or III AEG to NAC with docetaxel,oxaliplatin and S-1(DOS).AIM To develop a CT-based nomogram to predict response of Siewert type II/III AEG to NAC with DOS.METHODS One hundred and twenty-eight consecutive patients with confirmed Siewert type II/III AEG underwent CT before and after three cycles of NAC with DOS,and were randomly and consecutively assigned to the training cohort(TC)(n=94)and the validation cohort(VC)(n=34).Therapeutic effect was assessed by disease-control rate and progressive disease according to the Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors(version 1.1)criteria.Possible prognostic factors associated with responses after DOS treatment including Siewert classification,gross tumor volume(GTV),and cT and cN stages were evaluated using pretherapeutic CT data in addition to sex and age.Univariate and multivariate analyses of CT and clinical features in the TC were performed to determine independent factors associated with response to DOS.A nomogram was established based on independent factors to predict the response.The predictive performance of the nomogram was evaluated by Concordance index(C-index),calibration and receiver operating characteristics curve in the TC and VC.RESULTS Univariate analysis showed that Siewert type(52/55 vs 29/39,P=0.005),pretherapeutic cT stage(57/62 vs 24/32,P=0.028),GTV(47.3±27.4 vs 73.2±54.3,P=0.040)were significantly associated with response to DOS in the TC.Multivariate analysis of the TC also showed that the pretherapeutic cT stage,GTV and Siewert type were independent predictive factors related to response to DOS(odds ratio=4.631,1.027 and 7.639,respectively;all P<0.05).The nomogram developed with these independent factors showed an excellent performance to predict response to DOS in the TC and VC(C-index:0.838 and 0.824),with area under the receiver operating characteristic curve of 0.838 and 0.824,respectively.The calibration curves showed that the practical and predicted response to DOS effectively coincided.CONCLUSION A novel nomogram developed with pretherapeutic cT stage,GTV and Siewert type predicted the response of Siewert type II/III AEG to NAC with DOS.

Inter-Provincial Transaction Model in Two-Level ElectricityMarket Considering Carbon Emission and Consumption Responsibility Weights

In the context of the joint operation of China’s intra-provincial markets and inter-provincial trading,how to meet the load demand and energy consumption using inter-provincial renewable energy trading is a key problem.The combined operation of intra-provincial and inter-provincial markets provides a new way for provincial power companies to optimize and clear the intra-provincial power market,complete the intra-provincial consumption responsibility weight index,and consume renewable energy across provinces and regions.This paper combines power generation and consumption within the province,uses inter-provincial renewable energy trading tomeet the load demand within the province and completes the index of intra-provincial consumption responsibility weights.The intra-provincial market trading and inter-provincial market clearing are respectively taken as the upper and lower levels of the model.Under the two-level electricity market operation framework,the upper-level model aims to minimize the expected total operating cost within the province considering the carbon emission cost and the weight of the consumption responsibility,while the lower-level model aims to minimize the inter-provincial renewable energy purchasing cost.Finally,the influence of inter-provincial transaction mechanism,risk aversion coefficient,voucher price,and responsibility weight on operating cost is analyzed.Simulation is used to verify that the proposed model can meet the requirements of the provincial load power consumption and the consumption responsibility weight index,and promote the consumption of renewable energy.

Dynamic model and driving strategy of corporate social responsibility

Corporate social responsibility is the inevitable requirement for the survival and development of enterprises in modern society,as well as the basic guarantee for the sustainable development of economy and society.In order to analyze the driving factors of corporate social responsibility from both internal and external aspects,the dynamic model of corporate social responsibility was constructed,and the driving strategies of corporate social responsibility were also suggested.The driving factors of corporate social responsibility include not only the external constraints of policies,regulations and stakeholders,but also the internal requirements of the sustainable development of enterprises.Only when the external driving force is transformed into the spontaneous and conscious responsibility behavior of the enterprise,can the enterprise achieve its due effect.Moreover,in order to better fulfill the social responsibility,enterprise should build a management system of social responsibility,enhance the awareness of social responsibility,and promote the effective implementation of social responsibility projects.The relevant department should strengthen the all-round supervision of corporate social responsibility,and further improve the policies,laws and regulations related to social responsibility.Enterprises should strengthen communication with stakeholders,actively disclose social responsibility information,and constantly improve social responsibility behavior.By implementing social responsibility,enterprise can improve its business environment,enhance corporate brand image and core competitiveness,and promote the sustainable development of economy and society.

Corporate Social Responsibility Perception and Happiness of Employees:Evidence From Disney Resort in China

In recent years,many scholars have discussed good corporate culture,such as corporate social responsibility.The study investigates the relationship between employee perceptions of corporate social responsibility(CSR)and happiness in China’s resort industry.Four types of corporate social responsibilities are economic,legal,ethical,and discretionary.The study is an empirical study conducted to survey full-time workers who are working in Disney Resort,China.257 effective samples have been collected.The result implicated that the Disney Resort employees’corporate social responsibility perception positively affects happiness.Economic,legal,ethical,and discretionary responsibility all positively affect happiness.

Comparative analysis of thermodynamic and mechanical responses between underground hydrogen storage and compressed air energy storage in lined rock caverns

Underground hydrogen storage(UHS)and compressed air energy storage(CAES)are two viable largescale energy storage technologies for mitigating the intermittency of wind and solar power.Therefore,it is meaningful to compare the properties of hydrogen and air with typical thermodynamic storage processes.This study employs a multi-physical coupling model to compare the operations of CAES and UHS,integrating gas thermodynamics within caverns,thermal conduction,and mechanical deformation around rock caverns.Gas thermodynamic responses are validated using additional simulations and the field test data.Temperature and pressure variations of air and hydrogen within rock caverns exhibit similarities under both adiabatic and diabatic simulation modes.Hydrogen reaches higher temperature and pressure following gas charging stage compared to air,and the ideal gas assumption may lead to overestimation of gas temperature and pressure.Unlike steel lining of CAES,the sealing layer(fibre-reinforced plastic FRP)in UHS is prone to deformation but can effectively mitigates stress in the sealing layer.In CAES,the first principal stress on the surface of the sealing layer and concrete lining is tensile stress,whereas UHS exhibits compressive stress in the same areas.Our present research can provide references for the selection of energy storage methods.

Corporate Social Responsibility and Green Innovation-The Mediating Effect of Financing Constraints

Green innovation has become a strategic direction for the country and enterprises,and it is an important facet in achieving high-quality economic development.Whether corporate social responsibility(CSR),as a key competitive strategy for achieving sustainable economic development,can promote corporate green innovation and the path of evolution has become a hot topic of current research.This paper takes Chinese manufacturing A share listed companies as its sample and uses Stata sofware to conduct regression analysis to test the relationship between CSR,financing constraints,and green innovation,respectively.It further distinguishes the sample into different technological properties and different regions to study the degree of differentiation of the mediating effect on financing constraints.The results show that CSR can not only directly promote corporate green innovation,but that it also can further positively influence corporate green innovation by alleviating financing constraints.Financing constraints play a mediating role in the relationship between CSR and green innovation,especially in enterprises with strong innovation demand and in regions with high levels of regional economic development.The findings enrich the research perspective on the relationship between CSR and green innovation and provide realistic data support for subsequent studies.

Correction:Influence of Various Earth-Retaining Walls on the Dynamic Response Comparison Based on 3D Modeling

In the article“Influence of Various Earth-Retaining Walls on the Dynamic Response Comparison Based on 3D Modeling”by Muhammad Akba,Huali Pan,Jiangcheng Huang,Bilal Ahmed,Guoqiang Ou(Computer Modeling in Engineering&Sciences,2024,Vol.139,No.3,2835–2863.DOI:10.32604/cmes.2024.046993,URL:https://www.techscience.com/CMES/v139n3/55652),one author’s affiliation was not included in the original article.