Zoekresultaten

Optimization of an adverse outcome pathway network on chemical-induced cholestasis using an artificial intelligence-assisted data collection and confidence level quantification approach

Background: Adverse outcome pathway (AOP) networks are versatile tools in toxicology and risk assessment that capture and visualize mechanisms driving toxicity originating from various data sources. They share a common structure consisting of a set of molecular initiating events and key events, connected by key event relationships, leading to the actual adverse outcome. AOP networks are to be considered living documents that should be frequently updated by feeding in new data. Such iterative optimization exercises are typically done manually, which not only is a time-consuming effort, but also bears the risk of overlooking critical data. The present study introduces a novel approach for AOP network optimization of a previously published AOP network on chemical-induced cholestasis using artificial intelligence to facilitate automated data collection followed by subsequent quantitative confidence assessment of molecular initiating events, key events, and key event relationships. Methods: Artificial intelligence-assisted data collection was performed by means of the free web platform Sysrev. Confidence levels of the tailored Bradford-Hill criteria were quantified for the purpose of weight-of-evidence assessment of the optimized AOP network. Scores were calculated for biological plausibility, empirical evidence, and essentiality, and were integrated into a total key event relationship confidence value. The optimized AOP network was visualized using Cytoscape with the node size representing the incidence of the key event and the edge size indicating the total confidence in the key event relationship. Results: This resulted in the identification of 38 and 135 unique key events and key event relationships, respectively. Transporter changes was the key event with the highest incidence, and formed the most confident key event relationship with the adverse outcome, cholestasis. Other important key events present in the AOP network include: nuclear receptor changes, intracellular bile acid accumulation, bile acid synthesis changes, oxidative stress, inflammation and apoptosis. Conclusions: This process led to the creation of an extensively informative AOP network focused on chemical-induced cholestasis. This optimized AOP network may serve as a mechanistic compass for the development of a battery of in vitro assays to reliably predict chemical-induced cholestatic injury.

Cleanliness translated into sensory clues of the service environment

The aim is to investigate what (tangible) characteristics of the environment people associate with cleanliness, to determine what aspects - apart from technical cleanliness - are involved when people perceive their (working) environment to be 'clean '.

Shadowbook

What happens to our everyday language in the digital sphere? How does ‘the post-digital condition’ change the world in which we think about ourselves and talk to one another? In Shadowbook: Writing Through the Digital 2014-2018, Miriam Rasch investigates these questions in five experimental essays and one exposition. From the way the smartphone molds the language of desire and friendship to the possibilities of writing a ‘spreadsheet novel’ – Shadowbook is a testimony to post-digital writing by way of writing. It salutes both the beauty of the web and what hides in the shadows. Even in the bright and shiny sphere of the digital, the dark side is never far off.

Data Studio

Performance of Electric Vehicle Charging Infrastructure: Development of an Assessment Platform Based on Charging Data

Developers of charging infrastructure, be it public or private parties, are highly dependent on accurate utilization data in order to make informed decisions where and when to expand charging points. The Amsterdam University of Applied Sciences, in close cooperation with the municipalities of Amsterdam, Rotterdam, The Hague, Utrecht, and the Metropolitan Region of Amsterdam Electric, developed both the back- and front-end of a charging infrastructure assessment platform that processes and represents real-life charging data. Charging infrastructure planning and design methods described in the literature use geographic information system data, traffic flow data of non-EV vehicles, or geographical distributions of, for example, refueling stations for combustion engine vehicles. Only limited methods apply real-life charging data. Rolling out public charging infrastructure is a balancing act between stimulating the transition to zero-emission transport by enabling (candidate) EV drivers to charge, and limiting costly investments in public charging infrastructure. Five key performance indicators for charging infrastructure utilization are derived from literature, workshops, and discussions with practitioners. The paper describes the Data Warehouse architecture designed for processing large amounts of charging data, and the web-based assessment platform by which practitioners get access to relevant knowledge and information about the current performance of existing charging infrastructure represented by the key performance indicators developed. The platform allows stakeholders in the decision-making process of charging point installation to make informed decisions on where and how to expand the already existing charging infrastructure. The results are generalizable beyond the case study regions in the Netherlands and can serve the roll-out of charging infrastructure, both public and semi-public, all over the world.

Capturing the guest experience in hotels phase two

Given that it is essential for hotels to understand how guests experience hospitality, hotel managers need more concrete and tangible insights into this issue to improve their service. Quantitative research on experience of the physical environment and employee contact has shown that the comfort of hotel rooms and an inviting ambience are the factors that most influence guest loyalty. This exploratory paper employs verbal and visual association methods to translate comfortable and inviting into tangible sensory characteristics. Results show association of comfortable with lingering, sitting, resting, natural colours, rounded-off rectangles, and multiple layers. By contrast, inviting is associated with common (meeting) areas such as corridors, white, grey, transparency, and colourful accessories. Visual dataproved suitable for identifying tangible (sensory) characteristics, and delivering concrete recommendations for improving invitingness and comfort.