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The subject of the study is the norms of Russian legislation providing for the rights and obligations of the bodies of the Social Fund of Russia (SFR) to control the validity of social security. The variety of legal acts that regulate social security relations with the participation of SFR bodies makes it difficult to form a holistic view of the system of powers of these bodies to control the validity of social payments and services provided by the SFR.The purpose of the study is to systematize knowledge about the powers of the SFR bodies to control the validity of social security, to assess the current legal regulation in this part for its integrity and sufficiency to ensure targeted spending of the SFR budget.Methodology. Formal legal and comparative legal methods were used to achieve this goal. The research is based on the analysis of the norms of legislation on social security, which enshrine the rights of the SFR bodies to verify information and documents necessary for the appointment and payment of social security, and the practice of its application.The main results. These rights, in fact, represent the powers of the SFR bodies. The author proposes a classification of the control powers of the SFR bodies in the field under consideration for various reasons. The shortcomings of the current legal regulation of the implementation of control powers by the SFR bodies have been identified.Conclusions. In order to create a holistic legal framework for controlling the validity of social security provided by the SFR bodies, it is proposed to consolidate the powers of control in a generalized form in the Law on the Social Fund of Russia with the possibility of specifying them in other normative legal acts. At the same time, legal regulation should determine the actual basis for the use of the verification powers and the procedure for their implementation. As one of the directions of further research, the author identifies the question of the relationship between the control powers of the SFR bodies and the obligations of the recipient citizen to inform the SFR body about the circumstances entailing the termination of the right to social benefits or a change in its size.

Objectives. The goal of the research is to develop a new person-dependent method for verification of a signature of one person made on a tablet with a stylus in the presence of a limited number of signature samples of this person.Methods. The paper shows how to construct an individual pattern of the dynamic signatures of any person, which is described by points in a multidimensional feature space and is intended for subsequent verification of the authenticity of the signatures of a given person. It is constructed using 5

This paper presents programming methods and program verification for the 3-axis reconfigurable hybrid kinematics machine MOMA V3, which represents an educational desktop milling machine with a horizontal position of the main spindle. The paper considers the different programming and program verification methods. For programming used CAD/CAM system PTC Creo, specialized CAM software CUT3D and new programming method based on STEP-NC. Program verification is based on tool path simulation, material removal simulation and virtual machine simulation. The paper presented the virtual machine in the programming system and the virtual machine integrated with the LinuxCNC control system. Final verification was achieved during the testing on machine by machining the selected workpieces which programmed with different programming methods.

Would it be possible to monitor new missile arms limits in Europe in an environment of deep mistrust? We argue that so-called "active tags," attached to dual-capable missiles, could help states to monitor remotely defined geographical arms limits without having to rely on resource-intensive human inspections. Such a novel approach could build on already existing technologies. We clarify what technologies are available, which options states could choose from for setting up a remote monitoring scheme, and what the technical and political implications are. Verifying geographical arms limits through remote monitoring could not only help to avert a new arms race with Russia; the approach could also be applicable to other conflict regions and different weapon types. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The increasing demand for a secure and transparent mechanism for verifying academic credentials has led to the exploration of blockchain technology (BT) as a viable solution. This paper presents a three-layered application for the reliable verification of academic credentials, leveraging the immutable and decentralized nature of BT. The system includes a data layer (DL), a blockchain layer (BL), and an application layer (AL). The DL records student records, faculty staff records, and credentials. The BL utilizes smart contracts to record and verify academic records, ensuring their authenticity and integrity. The AL provides a userfriendly interface for various stakeholders, such as students, educational institutions, and employers, to communicate with the system. This effort aims to determine how BT can be utilized to enhance the security, transparency, and efficiency of academic credential verification processes. Efficiency in academic credential verification processes ultimately contributes to a more reliable and effective educational ecosystem. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The concept of digital twins has been in the field for a long time, constantly challenging the specification, modeling, design, implementation, and exploitation of complex cyber–physical systems. Despite the various foundations, standards, and platforms in systems engineering, there are ongoing challenges with verification and validation methodology. This study aims to establish a generic framework that addresses the various aspects of digital twinning. The multifaceted nature of the problem requires raising the abstraction level in both the real (actual) and virtual domains, effective dissemination of information resources, and a design inspired by verification and validation. The proposed framework combines the quintuple helix model with the problem and operational domains of a real (actual) twin, the solution and implementation domains of a virtual twin, and the execution domain as the bridge that links them. Verification and validation dimensions follow the meta object facility abstraction layers (instance, model, meta-model, and meta-meta-model) mapping over five helices. Embedding the complexity reduction mechanisms in the proposed framework builds a suite for extendible and verifiable digital twinning in simulation and real-time scenarios. The application of main conceptual framework mechanisms in a real-world example study aids the verification of this research's intentions. The validation is a matter of further research endeavors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background/Objectives: We present a software package called reflimR (Version 1.0.6), which enables rapid and transparent verification of reference intervals from routine laboratory measurements. Our method makes it easy to compare the results with specified target values and facilitates the interpretation of deviations using traffic light colors. Methods: The algorithm includes three procedural steps: (a) definition of an appropriate distribution model, based on Bowley's quartile skewness, (b) iterative truncation, based on a modified boxplot method to obtain the central 95% of presumably inconspicuous results, and (c) extrapolation of reference limits from a truncated normal quantile–quantile plot. Results: All algorithms have been combined into one consolidated library, which can be called in the R environment with a single command reflim (x). Using an example dataset included in the package, we demonstrate that our method can be applied to mixed data containing a substantial proportion of pathological values. It leads to similar results as the direct guideline approach as well as the more sophisticated indirect refineR software package. As compared to the latter, reflimR works much faster and needs smaller datasets for robust estimates. For the interpretation of the results, we present an intuitive color scheme based on tolerance ranges (permissible uncertainty of laboratory results). We show that a relatively high number of published reference limits require careful reevaluation. Conclusions: The reflimR package closes the gap between direct guideline methods and the more sophisticated indirect refineR method. We recommend reflimR for the rapid routine verification of large amounts of reference limits and refineR for a careful analysis of unclear or doubtful results from this check. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We present a relational program logic for reasoning about information flow properties formalised in an assertion language based on partial equivalence relations. We define and prove the soundness of the logic, a proof technique for precise, logic-based information flow properties. The logic extends Hoare logic and its unary state predicates to binary PER-based predicates for relating observationally equivalent states. A salient feature of the logic is that it is capable of reasoning about programs that test on secret data in a secure manner. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sharing confidential information is a critical concern in today's world. Secret sharing schemes facilitate the sharing of secrets in a way that ensures only authorized participants (shareholders) can access the secret using their allocated shares. Hierarchical secret sharing schemes (HSSSs) build upon Shamir's scheme by organizing participants into different levels based on priority. Within HSSS, participants at each level can reconstruct the secret if a specified number, denoted as the threshold value (t), or more of them are present. Each level has a predetermined threshold value. If the number of participants falls below the threshold at any level, higher-level participants must be involved in reconstructing the secret at lower levels. Our paper proposes schemes that implement hierarchical access structures and enable the sharing of multiple secrets. Additionally, our proposed scheme includes share verification. We have analyzed potential attacks and demonstrated the scheme's resistance against them. Through security analysis and comparison with existing schemes, we highlight the novelty and superiority of our proposed approach, contributing to advancements in secure information-sharing practices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Detonation shock dynamics is a powerful method to model the behaviour of High Explosives (HE). However in order to use this method, the underlying relationship between the local radius of curvature and the detonation speed must be known. Previous work has developed methods to calculate this effect using simple, single-step Arrhenius and polytropic gas, models for the chemical reaction and the equation of state, respectively. In recent years, more complex models for both reaction rates and equations of state have been developed which show better agreement with experimental data than these simple models, especially when considering condensed phase explosives.. This work presents the governing equations for solving these problems in a way that is generalised to use arbitrary equations of state as well as reaction models which may have more than a single step and multiple product species. This implementation is verified against exact solutions, demonstrating that the equations were implemented properly. The verified algorithm is then validated against experimental data and high fidelity simulations, showing that it is able to make accurate predictions in a regime where the underlying assumptions of the governing equations are valid. This approach has many applications: from creating equivalent detonation shock dynamics models for existing reactive burn calibrations for HE; to developing new functional forms and calibrations of reactive burn models for condensed phase high explosives. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction Recurrent falls are observed frequently among older people, and they are responsible for significant morbidity and mortality. The aim of the present study was to verify sensitivity, specificity and accuracy of World Guidelines for Falls Prevention and Management (WGFPM) falls risk stratification algorithm using data from the Osteoarthritis Initiative (OAI). Methods Participants aged between 40 and 80 years were stratified as 'low risk', 'intermediate risk' or 'high risk' as per WGFPM stratification. Data from the OAI cohort study were used, a multi-centre, longitudinal, observational study focusing primarily on knee osteoarthritis. The assessment of the outcome was carried out at baseline and during the follow-up visit at 24 months. Data about sensitivity, specificity and accuracy were reported. Results Totally, 4796 participants were initially included. Participants were aged a mean of 61.4 years (SD = 9.1) and were predominantly women (58.0%). The population was divided into three groups: low risk (n  = 3266; 82%), intermediate risk (n  = 25; 0.6%) and high risk (n  = 690; 17.3%). WGFPM algorithm applied to OAI, excluding the intermediate-risk group, produced a sensitivity score of 33.7% and specificity of 89.9% for predicting one or more falls, with an accuracy of 72.4%. Conclusion In our study, WGFPM risk assessment algorithm successfully distinguished older people at greater risk of falling using the opportunistic case finding method with a good specificity, but limited sensitivity, of WGFPM falls risk stratification algorithm. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Preterm infants require the use of nasogastric and orogastric enteral access devices (EADs) to provide nutrition and medications. Confirmation of the location of the tip of the EAD is essential to minimize complications. At the study site, EAD location was limited to verifying the centimeter marking at the lip/nares and nonevidence-based methods of visual observation of aspirate and auscultation. Purpose: Implement an evidenced-based EAD placement confirmation protocol, and by 90 days post-education and implementation, achieve adherence of 90%. Methods: This quality improvement project implemented a nurse-driven evidence-based protocol for EAD verification. The intervention was based on the New Opportunities for Verification of Enteral Tube Location best practice recommendations. Prior to implementation, education sessions focused on insertion measurement technique and gastric pH measurement. Radiographs, insertion measurement technique, centimeter marking, and gastric pH measurement were used for EAD location confirmation. To determine compliance with the protocol, audits were conducted and questionnaires assessing current practice regarding EAD confirmation were administered pre- and postimplementation. Results: The protocol increased nursing knowledge regarding evidence-based EAD insertion and verification procedures, incorporated pH measurement into practice, and reduced use of auscultation for confirmation. Nursing adherence to the protocol was 92%. Implications for Practice and Research: This provides a model for how to successfully implement and achieve adherence to an evidence-based EAD placement confirmation nurse-driven protocol. Further research is needed to verify the effectiveness of the protocol and establish consensus on approaches specifically for the neonatal population. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of e & i Elektrotechnik und Informationstechnik is the property of Springer Nature and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Since the World Health Assembly (WHA) in 2012 endorsed the Global Vaccine Action Plan (GVAP), which included regional measles and rubella elimination goals by 2020, global progress towards verification of measles and rubella elimination has been incremental. Even though the 2020 elimination goals were not achieved, commitment towards achieving measles and rubella elimination has been firmly established in the Immunization Agenda 2030 (IA2030) and the Measles and Rubella Strategic Framework (MRSF) 2021–2030. In 2023, the six Regional Verification Commissions for measles and rubella elimination (RVCs) reviewed data as of 31 December 2022 and confirmed that 82 (42%) Member States have been verified for measles elimination, and 98 (51%) Member States have been verified for rubella elimination. The six RVCs are composed of independent public health and immunization experts who are well-placed to support accelerating measles and rubella elimination. RVCs should be leveraged not only to review elimination documents but also to advocate for and champion public health programming that supports measles and rubella activities. The verification of elimination process is one of many tools that should be deployed to reinforce and accelerate efforts towards achieving a world free of measles and rubella. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

According to clause 7.2.1.5, it is essential that a laboratory that follows the ISO/IEC 17025:2017 standard verifies standard methods or validated alternative methods before it starts using them. In 2021, the International Standard Organization published the ISO 16140-3:2021 standard. This standard provides guidelines for verification of reference methods and validated alternative methods in a single food microbiology laboratory. By using the guidelines provided in the standard, we performed the method verification of Compact Dry BC, a ready-to-use media for quantification of Bacillus cereus in foods or raw materials. This Compact Dry BC method was validated by MicroVal according to the ISO 16140-2:2016 standard and revealed to be at least equivalent to the reference method "ISO 7932: 2004—Microbiology of food and animal feeding stuffs—Horizontal method for the enumeration of presumptive Bacillus cereus—Colony count technique at 30 °C". For implementation verification, the laboratory selected dried infant formula samples, while for food item verification, the laboratory chose dried infant formula, canned fish, breakfast cereal, sliced meat and pie samples. Intralaboratory reproducibility standard deviation (SIR) obtained by the laboratory was 0.055 log10 CFU, while the acceptable SIR is ≤ 0.341 log10 CFU. Estimated bias (eBias) for dried infant formula, canned fish, breakfast cereal, sliced meat and pie samples were also found to be ≤ 0.5 log10 CFU for low, medium, and high inoculum levels. Therefore, as per the criteria set by the ISO 16140-3:2021 standard, the Compact Dry BC method is suitable to use in our laboratory for enumeration of presumptive B. cereus in a broad range of food. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Private information retrieval, which allows users to securely retrieve information stored in a single server or multiple servers without disclosing any query content to the server, has attracted much attention in recent years. However, most of the existing private information retrieval schemes cannot achieve data retrieval and data integrity authentication simultaneously. To address the above challenges, this paper proposes a verifiable private information retrieval scheme based on parity in a single-server architecture. Specifically, the data owner generates parity information for each data and extends the original database. Then the data owner generates hint information for the query client, and according to the inverse of the hint information, the matrix confusion and permutation of the extensible database are carried out on the database and the hint information is sent to the client. The client selects the corresponding element in the hint to generate the query vector and executes the reconstruction and verification phase after receiving the answer to accomplish the retrieval process. A series of security games prove that this scheme meets the privacy requirements defined by the PIR scheme, and experimental analysis shows that compared with related schemes, our scheme has certain advantages in time cost. The time of verification information generation is 0.3% of APIR and FMAPIR, the reconstruction time is 1.6% of APIR and 1.1% of FMAPIR and the query time is much less than them. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

AbstractThe advanced thermal-hydraulic system code, System Analysis Module (SAM), was originally developed for the modeling of single-phase flow in advanced reactors. It has since been expanded to include a four-equation drift flux model for the modeling of two-phase flows containing a noncondensable gas. The model was expanded to support the modeling of molten salt reactor (MSR) designs in which the fuel is directly dissolved in the circulating coolant. These designs have shown that circulating gas bubbles can play an important role in the management of fission products and the operational behavior of the reactor. A drift flux model was implemented to more accurately capture the localized behavior of the void in the core and its impact on the mass transfer of fission products.A thorough assessment of the new model was performed by developing a verification and validation test suite. Verification problems were designed to test all major terms in the new governing equations. The new model converged to the correct solution at the expected order of accuracy for all verification cases. The validation cases included a wide range of flow and void conditions in different pipe geometries. Although higher void experiments show a slight underprediction of void by the drift flux model, experiments that aim to reproduce Molten Salt Reactor Experiment (MSRE) experimental conditions show good agreement with the model.The gas transport model was activated for a SAM model of the MSRE to demonstrate that it can be used in a more complex model. This gas transport model will be used along with an interfacial area transport equation being implemented in SAM for the prediction of mass transport behavior in MSR conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study introduces a robust model-based framework designed for the verification and validation (V&V) of Attitude Determination and Control Systems (ADCSs) in nanosatellites, focusing on magnetic actuation while still being applicable to larger spacecraft platforms. By employing Model-in-the-Loop (MIL), Software-in-the-Loop (SIL), Processor-in-the-Loop (PIL), and Hardware-in-the-Loop (HIL) methodologies, this framework enables a thorough and systematic approach to testing and validation. The framework facilitates the assessment of long-term maneuvers, addressing challenges such as initial small-attitude errors and restricted 3D movements. Two specific maneuvers are evaluated: detumbling and nadir pointing, utilizing quaternions and a comprehensive suite of sensors, including six sun sensors, a three-axis magnetometer, a three-axis gyroscope, GPS, and three magnetorquers. The methodologies—MIL, SIL, PIL, and HIL—integrate the behaviors of digital sensors, analog signals, and astrodynamic perturbations. Based on an optimized SIL environment, Monte Carlo simulations were performed to optimize control gains for nadir pointing, achieving a mean pointing accuracy of 11.69° (MIL) and 18.22° (PIL), and an angular velocity norm of 0.0022 rad/s for detumbling. The HIL environment demonstrated a mean pointing accuracy of 9.96° and an angular velocity norm of 0.0024 rad/s. This comprehensive framework significantly advances the design and verification processes for nanosatellite ADCSs, enhancing the reliability and performance of nanosatellite missions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Dengue fever is a source of substantial health burden in Vietnam. Given the well‐established influence of temperature and precipitation on vector biology and disease transmission, predictions of meteorological variables, such as those issued by ECMWF as a world‐leading provider of global ensemble forecasts, are likely to be valuable model inputs to a future dengue early warning system. In the absence of established verification at municipal and regional scales, this study assesses the skill of rainy season (May–October) ensemble precipitation and 2‐m temperature retrospective forecasts over North and South Vietnam initialized for dates during the period 2001–2020, evaluated against the ERA5 reanalysis for the same period. Forecasts are found to be significantly skilful compared with both climatology and persistence for lead times up to 10 days, including for cumulative precipitation values considered against independent rain gauge data. Rank histograms demonstrate that ensembles generally avoid excessive bias and consistently positive CRPSS values indicate substantial skill for temperature and cumulative precipitation forecasts for all spatial scales considered, despite differences in rainy season characteristics between North and South Vietnam. This forecast reliability demonstrates that meteorological input data based on ECMWF ensemble forecasts would add appreciably more value to the development of a future dengue early warning system compared to reference forecasts like climatology or persistence. These results raise hope for further exploration of predictive skill for relevant meteorological variables, particularly focused on their downscaling to produce district‐level epidemiological forecasts for urban areas where dengue is most prevalent. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The specification of requirements and tests are crucial activities in automotive development projects. However, due to the increasing complexity of automotive systems, practitioners fail to specify requirements and tests for distributed and evolving systems with complex interactions when following traditional development processes. To address this research gap, we propose a technique that starts with the early identification of validation concerns from a stakeholder perspective, which we use to systematically design tests that drive a scenario‐based modeling and analysis of system requirements. To ensure complete and consistent requirements and test specifications in a form that is required in automotive development projects, we develop a Model‐Based Systems Engineering (MBSE) methodology. This methodology supports system architects and test designers in the collaborative application of our technique and in maintaining a central system model, in order to automatically derive the required specifications. We evaluate our methodology by applying it at KOSTAL (Tier1 supplier) and within student projects as part of the masters program Embedded Systems Engineering. Our study corroborates that our methodology is applicable and improves existing requirements and test specification processes by supporting the integrated and stakeholder‐focused modeling of product and validation systems, where the early definition of stakeholder and validation concerns fosters a problem‐oriented, iterative and test‐driven requirements modeling. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The issues related to the verification of ensemble seasonal forecasts obtained using a new technology implemented on the basis of the INM-CM5 Earth system model are considered. The forecast objects are global gridded () fields of ensemble mean anomalies and probabilities of three gradations of the anomalies (below normal, normal, above normal) for each of the five characteristics: 500 hPa geopotential height (), mean sea level pressure (SLP), 850 hPa air temperature (), surface air temperature (), and precipitation (Prec) for six periods of time averaging (at monthly intervals for the 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th months and at two seasonal intervals: season 1 (the 1st–3rd months) and season 2 (the 2nd–4th months)). It is noted that forecast skill scores vary greatly depending on a region, a season, and a meteorological parameter. The best results for all parameters were obtained for the tropics, where the main sources of long-term predictability of the atmosphere are located. In extratropical latitudes, the quality of forecasts, especially at the monthly intervals, decreases and approaches the level of climate forecasts. The skill of precipitation forecasts is significantly inferior to the quality of forecasts of other meteorological parameters. It is noted that the success in ensemble seasonal probabilistic and deterministic forecasting of the main meteorological elements with the INM-CM5 model, both on a global scale and in individual regions, is comparable with the skill scores of similar forecasts of the foreign meteorological centers participating in the LC MME-WMO project. The introduction of the new climate model into the scientific and operational practice of the Hydrometcenter of Russia/North Eurasia Climate Centre will contribute to improving the quality of monthly and seasonal forecasts and developing specialized climate services. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Smoking tobacco implies significant health hazards. Digital cessation support can get more smokers in contact with guideline-based cessation. The objective was to test the efficacy of a guideline-based smoking cessation app (NichtraucherHelden®). The hypothesis was a significantly higher cessation rate in the intervention group. Methods The study was a nationwide, multicentric, prospective, parallel, randomized controlled trial in Germany from November 2021 to March 2023. Recruitment took place in medical practices and by telephone via study centers. Eligible participants were adult tobacco-dependent smokers according to ICD-10 (F17.2). Randomization (1:1) was operated by a computer-generated stratified 1:1 block procedure. Intervention (IG; n  = 336) and control group (CG; n  = 325) were briefly advised with regard to stop smoking, IG was additionally treated with the cessation app. The primary endpoint was the self-reported 7-day-point abstinence after 6 months with an intention to treat analysis. Secondary endpoints comprised prolonged abstinence and biochemically verified abstinence. The study was registered at the German Registry of Clinical Trials (DRKS00025933, UTN U1111-1268-2181) and was approved by the competent ethics committees (leading ethic committee Berlin #Eth-52/20). Results Three hundred thirty six participants (IG) and 325 (CG) were analyzed. Seven-day point prevalence was significantly higher in the app group (IG) (20% vs. 10%, OR 2.2 (1.4–3.4)). Additionally, the prolonged abstinence and the objective abstinence rates were significantly higher in the app group. Conclusions The NichtraucherHelden app doubles the abstinence rate. Apps can bridge the gap between the small number of therapeutic offers and the need for modern evidence-based cessation support. Implications The study is the first to provide evidence for the feasibility and efficacy of guideline-based digital smoking cessation provided by a smartphone app for the German statutory health insurance (SHI) system. Smoking cessation support by smartphone apps could be broadly distributed and thus bring more smokers in contact with guideline-based cessation support than to date and increase the number of successful quitters substantially. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction Evidence on smokeless tobacco (ST) cessation interventions is scarce. The South Asian (SA) region that shares more than 90% of the burden of ST use is grossly underrepresented in research on ST cessation. This study aimed to assess the feasibility of delivering and investigating a behavioral support intervention for ST cessation in dental settings in Pakistan. Methods A multicenter, pilot, two-armed parallel-group, individually randomized control trial, with a 1:1 allocation ratio, was conducted at two dental hospitals. Eligibility criteria included being an ST user seeking dental treatment and not currently accessing cessation support. All participants were provided written self-help ST cessation material. The intervention group also received a dentist-delivered, bespoke behavioral support intervention for ST cessation developed for users of SA origin. Participants were followed up telephonically at 3 and 6 months. Self-reported 6-month abstinence was verified by salivary cotinine. Analysis was descriptive, with 95% confidence intervals presented where appropriate. Results One hundred participants were successfully recruited from the selected hospitals. Of these, 78% continued to engage throughout the study duration and provided primary outcome data, whereas 63% completed all hospital visits. The outcome measures were successfully collected. Biochemically verified 6-month abstinence in the intervention and control groups was 10% and 4%. Conclusions It was feasible to deliver and evaluate a dentist-delivered behavioral support intervention for ST cessation in Pakistan. The data suggested that the intervention may improve ST quit rates. The findings of this study will be useful in informing the design of future definitive studies. Implications To our knowledge, this is the first pragmatic pilot trial on ST cessation in dental settings in Pakistan and the first trial on dentist-delivered structured behavioral support intervention for ST cessation. It adds to the scarce, trial evidence based on ST cessation interventions. The findings suggest behavioral support intervention for ST cessation may improve quit rates. The trial was conducted in a country with poor ST control measures, where ST products are not taxed, the products are sold openly to and by minors, and the users are offered negligible cessation support. The findings may, therefore, be generalizable to low–middle-income countries, particularly SA countries, with similar policy backgrounds. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mounting concerns about COVID-19 misinformation and its insidious fallout drive the search for viable solutions. Both scholarly and practical efforts have turned toward raising risk appraisal of misinformation and motivating verification and debunking behaviors. However, individuals remain reluctant to verify and correct misinformation, suggesting a need to develop persuasion strategies to motivate such behaviors. Therefore, with an experiment of 256 participants recruited from Amazon MTurk, this study examines how effectively norm-based messages improve positive behavioral intentions during the COVID-19 pandemic. Findings suggest that among individuals with high perceived severity of misinformation, exposure to both descriptive and injunctive norms about verification reduced their intention to rectify misinformation. However, both descriptive and injunctive norms about debunking misinformation increased intentions to engage in preventive behaviors. By probing the "self–other" discrepancy and the "trade-off effect" of risk appraisal, the study further reveals that the perceived severity of misinformation merits in-depth exploration in future research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper aims at providing an overview of the institution of precautionary measures also called preliminary injunction measures in the criminal trial, namely of the procedure instituted by the legislator in art. 250 2 of the Criminal Procedure Code and on the terms in which the judicial bodies are obliged to verify whether or not the grounds for maintaining precautionary measures still exist. It is a matter of principle that protective measures, like precautionary measures, are measures that have the effect of limiting the fundamental rights of the person against whom they are ordered, and the manner in which they are ordered and maintained must observe the limits and guarantees of the right to a fair trial. The present study will mainly focus on the aspects related to the way in which this procedure is carried out by the judicial bodies, as well as the contradictions encountered in the legal practice on the legal termination of protective measures, on the nature of the terms regulated by art. 250 2 of the Criminal Procedure Code and on the conditions that must be analysed in this verification procedure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fact-checking has become a global industry, with more than 417 fact-checking outlets in 100 countries operating in 69 languages (Stencel, Ryan & Luther, 2023). According to the Duke Reporters' Lab, half of the world's fact checkers are associated with media outlets, but there are also 24 affiliated with academic institutions. Although the work is time consuming and resource intensive, fact-checking has increasingly been introduced to journalism programmes at universities and in professional settings. This expert article brings together some insights from a United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) World Journalism Education Council (WJEC) roundtable event 'Fact-Check and Verification as Core Journalism Curriculum' hosted by RMIT University in Australia in 2021, alongside relevant literature exploring the nature and presence of fact-check based education approaches at that time. It concludes that while fact-checking and verification are important skills for student journalists, fact checkers do not necessarily need to be journalists, nor indeed have journalistic training. However, more students are needed who are excellent journalists and the authors argue that fact-checking is just part of that training. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, we aimed to identify the hub genes responsible for increased vascular endothelial cell permeability. Methods: We applied the weighted Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database to mine dataset GSE178331 and obtained the most relevant high-throughput sequenced genes for an increased permeability of vascular endothelial cells due to inflammation. We constructed two weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA) networks, and the differential expression of high-throughput sequenced genes related to endothelial cell permeability were screened from the GEO database. Gene Ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) enrichment analysis were performed on the differential genes. Their degree values were obtained from the topological properties of protein-protein interaction (PPI) networks of differential genes, and the hub genes associated with an increased endothelial cell permeability were analyzed. Reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and western blotting techniques were used to detect the presence of these hub genes in TNF-α induced mRNA and the protein expression in endothelial cells. Results: In total, 1,475 differential genes were mainly enriched in the cell adhesion and TNF-α signaling pathway. With TNF-α inducing an increase in the endothelial cell permeability and significantly increasing mRNA and protein expression levels, we identified three hub genes, namely PTGS2, ICAM1, and SNAI1. There was a significant difference in the high-dose TNF-α group and in the low-dose TNF-α group compared to the control group, in the endothelial cell permeability experiment (p = 0.008 vs. p = 0.02). Measurement of mRNA and protein levels of PTGS2, ICAM1, and SNAI1 by western blotting analysis showed that there was a significant impact on TNF-α and that there was a significant dose-dependent relationship (p < 0.05 vs. p < 0.01). Conclusions: The three hub genes identified through bioinformatics analyses in the present study may serve as biomarkers of increased vascular endothelial cell permeability. The findings offer valuable insights into the progress and mechanism of vascular endothelial cell permeability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Erosion is an important process that shapes the earth's surface. Given the complexity of the process, efforts to understand it are essential. Over the last 50 years, numerous models of soil particle erosion by surface runoff emerged, some of which share similar forms and parameters. The differences lie in the coefficient values of the parameters, attributed to the characteristics of the soil material such as texture, structure, and organic matter content. However, these erosion models tend to underpredict in the case of new volcanic deposit erosion. The erosion model for unconsolidated tephra, proposed by Yunita, was developed through laboratory experiments using volcanic material from Merapi Volcano, Indonesia. Nevertheless, the model has not been implemented for other cases. Therefore, this study aims to verify the erosion model for volcanic material in other cases, explore the possibility of broader implementation, identify the factors that influence its accuracy, and determine the model’s limitations. To verify the model’s potential for broader application, we applied it to micro-scale catchments in St. Hellens (USA), Sakurajima (Japan), and a laboratory scale plot in Merapi (Indonesia). The verification yielded satisfactory results for all three cases, especially for new tephra deposits. In the case of St. Helens, the extrapolation of model coefficients was proven to still be applicable even for thicker tephra layers. However, the erosion prediction was overestimated for tephra layer deposits older than 1 year, as the erosion rate decreases over time due to the compaction and stabilization of the tephra layer. In the Sakurajima, the model was also suitable for predicting long-term erosion amounts (daily and monthly). Meanwhile, in Merapi, the model provided accurate predictions for slopes of 20º and 25º but was less accurate for 30º slopes, where the measured erosion was due to both erosion and slope failure. These verification results demonstrate the potential of applying the empirical erosion model to micro catchments with relatively homogenous slopes and tephra properties. The sensitivity test revealed that slope, runoff, rainfall intensity, and volcanic ash thickness are strongly influence the erosion rate. This study also simplified the volcanic ash erosion model as a function of slope (S0), runoff (q), and rainfall (i) by assuming the value of (1-τc/τ0) is equal to 1. Further study using GIS tools is required for its application on several catchments with heterogeneous characteristics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Drinking water quality management has been one of the main pillars of primary water prevention for more than a century and a half and continues to be the foundation for the prevention and control of waterrelated diseases. Therefore, the application of verified microbiological methods providing reliable results is of great importance for assessing the quality of drinking water. Aim: Detection and enumeration of Pseudomonas aeruginosa in drinking water experimentally contaminated with a strain of this microorganism. Determining the main characteristics of the membrane filtration method, ensuring the reliability of the results obtained, thus guaranteeing prevention and protecting the consumers health. Material and methods: A standard microbiological method for the detection and enumeration of Pseudomonas aeruginosa in drinking water was applied - BDS EN ISO 16266:2006 „Water quality. Detection and enumeration of Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Membrane filtration method“ as well as standard methods for determining the main characteristics of the method. Twenty samples of 100 ml drinking water were artificially contaminated with CRM Pseudomonas aeruginosa. After incubation of the membrane filters on a selective nutrient medium - Cetrimid agar, confirmatory tests are carried out. Results: The proven Pseudomonas aeruginosa in a given volume of water are all pyocyanin-producing colonies that are oxidase (+), fluoresce under an UV lamp and produce ammonia from acetamide. The data obtained confirming the ability of Pseudomonas aeruginosa as a psychrophile to grow at low temperatures and in nutrient-poor oligotrophic environments, such as drinking water, were used to verify the applied method. Conclusion: The microbiological monitoring of water, through the application of verified microbiological methods, is a basis for preventing infections and a tool for ensuring safe drinking water. The potential risks to consumers can be detected at an early stage and early protection measures can be taken. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Semantic Web Technologies (SWTs) provide an approach to the structuring and understanding of data. SWTs utilize ontologies, reasoners, and query languages to structure existing knowledge, validate knowledge, and infer new knowledge. Ontologies in particular play a central role in enabling reusability and interoperability between domains. A common way to organize ontologies and their dependencies is in a layered ontology stack. These layers often incorporate top‐level, core and domain ontologies. Libraries of standard instances can also be used. Federating the conceptualization of a domain across upper‐ and lower‐level ontologies improves the reusability of higher‐level terminology in other domains, and therefore improves interoperability between them. The University of Arizona Ontology Stack (UAOS) is a layered, modular ontology stack that has been developed to support digital engineering activities at the University of Arizona. It is based on the Basic Formal Ontology (BFO), and currently comprises five core ontologies and 12 domain ontologies. The UAOS reuses existing ontologies and standards wherever possible. The core ontologies, for example, are based on the Common Core Ontologies, developed at CUBRC, and the Provenance Notation (PROV‐N), a W3C standard. Domain ontologies include the System Architecture Ontology, based on ISO 42010, and the Orbits and Trajectories Ontology, based on CUBRC's Space Object Ontology. In this paper, we report on the development of the UAOS, present examples of how it has been used to support digital engineering research, discuss the challenges of integrating ontologies from multiple sources into a cohesive stack, and highlight topics of interest for future research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Due to complexity increases in modern systems and the digitalization paradigm shift, industrial development requires the integration of new technologies and methods to keep product quality high while reducing time to market. One emerging paradigm in the Systems Engineering (SE) discipline is ModelBased methods and technologies, and correspondingly Model‐Based Systems Engineering (MBSE) is seeing increased adoption. With mature MBSE application, several benefits can be expected from the availability of models, even from the very early stages of development, enabling increased communication clarity, cross‐domain collaboration, traceability, and analysis. Notably, MBSE enables (Co‐)simulation even at the early stage of architecture/design by leveraging model‐based capabilities. Co‐simulation specifically enables a smooth and seamless integration of different models defined across layers of abstraction, for example, system logical architecture and system physical architecture. However, while MBSE is assisting with many aspects of development it is still a predominantly isolated set of activities throughout the development, especially on the left‐hand side of the traditional V‐model. In this work we discuss the status of Co‐simulation in industrial MBSE and list several existing challenges, then we propose a novel framework for implementing Co‐simulation and exemplify using a real scenario how we might address the observed challenges. The framework hinges on the newly proposed SSP standard and extends the currently industrially adopted FMI (version 3) standard through embedding the FMI file format using various scripts, demonstrated in the Python language for this paper. Finally, we propose a set of recommendations for future investigations to strengthen Co‐simulation in industrial MBSE. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Event-clock automata (ECA) are a well-known semantic subclass of timed automata (TA) which enjoy admirable theoretical properties, e.g., determinizability, and are practically useful to capture timed specifications. However, unlike for timed automata, there exist no implementations for checking non-emptiness of event-clock automata. As ECAs contain special prophecy clocks that guess and maintain the time to the next occurrence of specific events, they cannot be seen as a syntactic subclass of TA. Therefore, implementations for TA cannot be directly used for ECAs, and moreover the translation of an ECA to a semantically equivalent TA is expensive. Another reason for the lack of ECA implementations is the difficulty in adapting zone-based algorithms, critical in the timed automata setting, to the event-clock automata setting. This difficulty was studied by Geeraerts et al. in 2011, where the authors proposed a zone enumeration procedure that uses zone extrapolations for finiteness. In this article, we propose a different zone-based algorithm to solve the reachability problem for event-clock automata, using simulations for finiteness. A surprising consequence of our result is that for event-predicting automata, the subclass of event-clock automata that only use prophecy clocks, we obtain finiteness even without any simulations. For general event-clock automata, our new algorithm exploits the G-simulation framework, which is the coarsest known simulation relation in timed automata literature, and has been recently used for advances in other extensions of timed automata. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

I study a persuasion game between a privately informed agent and a decision maker (DM) who can imperfectly verify the statements made by the agent by observing a signal that is correlated with the agent's information. I find that whether or not the DM benefits from communicating with the agent depends on whether the DM's signal and the agent's private information satisfy a weak affiliation condition. I then discuss the significance of this result to the debate over the use of self‐appraisals in business. I argue that, in general, self‐appraisals are only useful when the workers' abilities are multidimensional. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Decadal predictions focus regularly on the predictability of single values, like means or extremes. In this study we investigate the prediction skill of the full underlying surface temperature distributions on global and European scales. We investigate initialized hindcast simulations of the Max Planck Institute Earth system model decadal prediction system and compare the distribution of seasonal daily temperatures with estimates of the climatology and uninitialized historical simulations. In the analysis we show that the initialized prediction system has advantages in particular in the North Atlantic area and allow so to make reliable predictions for the whole temperature spectrum for two to 10 years ahead. We also demonstrate that the capability of initialized climate predictions to predict the temperature distribution depends on the season. Plain Language Summary: The usual way to make statements about temperatures two to 10 years in advance is by using one value. This could be the average, minimum or maximum temperature over some time period. Nevertheless, this simplification hides that this represents only partial information about the full distribution of temperature values. We demonstrate that a climate model is in many areas, especially over and around the North Atlantic, better in predicting the temperature multiple years ahead than assuming a constant climate. We also show that in some areas a climate model, which is starting from a specific point of observations is better than one which does not do that. This shows that it is possible and useful to apply climate predictions to predict the future not only for averages, but for the whole distribution. Key Points: Potential of decadal prediction of temperature distributionsVariability in prediction skill vary regionally over seasonsThe North Atlantic offers an important area where temperature distribution predictability is improved by initialization [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

AbstractSoftware verification and validation constitute crucial phases in the development of simulation computer codes, particularly in the context of nuclear reactor safety analysis codes, where stringent safety requirements govern the development and deployment of nuclear technologies. This paper focuses on numerical verification study of the System Analysis Module (SAM) computer code, currently under development at Argonne National Laboratory. Specifically, we employed the Method of Manufactured Solutions (MMS) and proposed a verification technique tailored to the multiphysics simulation of molten salt reactors (MSRs). This research accomplished three main objectives. First, we have addressed key challenges associated with applying the MMS to MSR systems, arising from (1) the complex multiphysics coupling inherent in this problem and (2) the necessity to model the entire coolant loop for describing the drift of delayed neutron precursors outside the reactor core. The paper provides recommendations and guidelines to overcome these challenges, enabling the successful application of the MMS for simulating MSRs. Second, we have presented a comprehensive set of verification examples, serving as an exhaustive benchmark for code verification within the nuclear community. Third, we have established a robust verification of the SAM code’s capability to model MSR systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We show that very simple molecular systems, modeled as chemical reaction networks, can have behaviors that exhibit dramatic phase transitions at certain population thresholds. Moreover, the magnitudes of these thresholds can thwart attempts to use simulation, model checking, or approximation by differential equations to formally verify the behaviors of such systems at realistic populations. We show how formal theorem provers can successfully verify some such systems at populations where other verification methods fail. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article analyzes existing methods for verifying hopper scales, including the conventional method using weights and such alternative methods as substitution and element-by-element verification methods. The disadvantages of existing methods are identified, as well as the difficulties related to the application of the considered methods. The main problem associated with the verification of heavy-duty scales is the need to handle a large number of weights (loading, unloading, storage, transportation, etc.). In most cases, it is impossible to verify hopper scales using existing methods. In this connection, the problem of metrological support of hopper scales was set and solved. A force method for verifying hopper scales was developed and described. The force method relies on comparing weights to be verified with the 1st-grade force standard using a comparator. As the comparator, the study used a weight- or force-measuring load cells. The article presents the ways and means of implementing the proposed method for verifying hopper scales, as well as the test results that prove the possibility of its application and verification of hopper scales by means of force standards. The force method was used to develop a procedure for verifying VB KONUS scales with the use of a TVS force comparator. The developed method enables a significant reduction in labor intensity, time, and cost of verification. This is particularly relevant in the production of various materials for which accurate weighing of components is critical. The implementation of the force method in verification can significantly improve the assurance of large mass measurements made using scales. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As neural networks are increasingly being integrated into mission-critical systems, it is becoming crucial to ensure that they meet various safety and liveness requirements. Toward, that end, numerous complete and sound verification techniques have been proposed in recent years, but these often suffer from severe scalability issues. One recently proposed approach for improving the scalability of verification techniques is to enhance them with abstraction/refinement capabilities: instead of verifying a complex and large network, abstraction allows the verifier to construct and then verify a much smaller network, and the correctness of the smaller network immediately implies the correctness of the original, larger network. One shortcoming of this scheme is that whenever the smaller network cannot be verified, the verifier must perform a refinement step, in which the size of the network being verified is increased. The verifier then starts verifying the new network from scratch—effectively "forgetting" its earlier work, in which the smaller network was verified. Here, we present an enhancement to abstraction-based neural network verification, which uses residual reasoning: a process where information acquired when verifying an abstract network is utilized in order to facilitate the verification of refined networks. At its core, the method enables the verifier to retain information about parts of the search space in which it was determined that the refined network behaves correctly, allowing the verifier to focus on areas of the search space where bugs might yet be discovered. For evaluation, we implemented our approach as an extension to the Marabou verifier and obtained highly promising results. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this article, we present an approach to the ABZ 2020 case study that differs from those usually presented at ABZ: Rather than using a (correct-by-construction) approach following a formal method, we use C for a low-level implementation instead. We strictly adhere to test-driven development for validation, and only afterwards apply model checking using CBMC for verification. While the approach has several benefits compared to the more rigorous approaches, it also provides less mathematical clarity and overall less thorough verification. In consequence, our realization of the ABZ case study serves as a baseline reference for comparison, allowing to assess the benefit provided by the various formal modeling languages, methods and tools. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper presents an Event-B model of a speed control system, a part of the case study provided in the ABZ2020 conference. The case study describes how the system regulates the current speed of a car according to a set of criteria like the driver's desired speed, the position of a possible preceding vehicle, but also a given speed limit that the driver must not exceed. For that purpose, this controller reads different information from the available sensors (key state, desired speed) and takes adequate actions by acting on the actuators of the car's speed according to the information read. To formally model this system, we adopt a stepwise refinement approach with the Event-B method. We consider most of the features of the case study. All proof obligations of the invariant properties have been discharged using the Rodin provers. Our model has been validated using ProB by applying the different provided scenarios. This validation has permitted us to point out and correct some mistakes, ambiguities and oversights contained in the first versions of the case study. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper introduces an Event-B formal model of the adaptive exterior light system for cars, a case study proposed in the context of the ABZ2020 conference. The system describes the different provided lights and the conditions under which they are switched on/off in order to improve the visibility of the driver without dazzling the oncoming ones. The system can be viewed as a lights controller that reads different information form the available sensors (key state, exterior luminosity, etc.) and takes the adequate actions by acting on the actuators of the lights in order to ensure a good visibility for the driver according to the information read. Our model is built using stepwise refinement with the Event-B method. We consider all the features of the case study, all proof obligations have been discharged using the Rodin provers. Our model has been validated using ProB by applying the different provided scenarios. This validation has permitted us to point out and correct some mistakes, ambiguities and oversights in the first versions of the case study description document. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

State machines are widely used in industry and academia to capture behavioural models of control. They are included in popular notations, such as UML and its variants, and used (sometimes informally) to describe computational artefacts. In this paper, we present laws for state machines that we prove sound with respect to a process algebraic semantics for refinement, and complete, in that they are sufficient to reduce an arbitrary model to a normal form that isolates basic (action and control) elements. We consider two variants of UML-like state machines, both enriched with facilities to deal with time budgets, timeouts and deadlines over triggers and actions. In the first variant, machines are self-contained components, declaring all the variables, events and operations that they require or define. In contrast, in the second variant, machines are open, like in UML for instance. Laws for open state machines do not depend on a specific context of variables, events and operations, and normalization uses a novel operator for open-machine (de)composition. Our laws can be used in behaviour-preservation transformation techniques. Their applications are automated by a model-transformation engine. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction To improve the feasibility of remote biochemical verification of smoking status, our team developed "COast," a mobile app integrated with REDCap that allows a research participant to complete self-report research assessments and provide a breath sample via the iCOQuit Smokerlyzer for the purposes of carbon monoxide (CO) testing. The aims of the present study were to examine (1) the validity of remote CO data capture using COast as compared to gold-standard approaches (salivary cotinine, stand-alone CO monitor) and (2) the feasibility of remote CO data capture using COast as applied to both daily and weekly CO collection schedules. Methods Participants (N  = 143, 59% Female), including recently quit (n  = 36) and current (n  = 107) smokers, completed a baseline video session to capture validity data, and then were randomized to daily or weekly CO monitoring for a period of 1 month. Results Balancing both sensitivity and specificity, optimal cut-points for defining abstinence using the COast system were <4 parts per million (ppm) with salivary cotinine as the referent (Sensitivity = 100%, Specificity = 92.8%) and <8 ppm with the stand-alone CO monitor as the referent (Sensitivity = 100%, Specificity = 88.9%). Compliance across groups with CO monitoring was high with average compliance of 74% for the daily group and 84% for the weekly group. Self-reported feasibility and acceptability of using the system were strong. Conclusions Pairing the iCOQuit with REDCap via the COast app was both valid and feasible among a sample of adults who smoke cigarettes enrolled remotely. This integration may help to improve the rigor of decentralized smoking cessation trials. Implications With increasing prevalence of decentralized trial designs, innovative methods are needed to remotely capture biomarkers. Methods that leverage existing widely available research data capture platforms may be particularly useful for promoting adoption. The COast app, which integrates a Bluetooth-enabled CO monitor with REDCap, is a fitting, valid, and feasible solution to remotely biochemically verify smoking status. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A stochastic network simulation is verified when its distribution of outputs is aligned with the ground truth, while tolerating deviations due to variability in real-world measurements and the randomness of a stochastic simulation. However, comparing distributions may yield false positives, as erroneous simulations may have the expected distribution yet present aberrations in low-level patterns. For instance, the number of sick individuals may present the right trend over time, but the wrong individuals were infected. We previously proposed an approach that transforms simulation traces into images verified by machine learning algorithms that account for low-level patterns. We demonstrated the viability of this approach when many simulation traces are compared with a large ground truth data set. However, ground truth data are often limited. For example, a publication may include few images of their simulation as illustrations; hence, teams that independently re-implement the model can only compare low-level patterns with few cases. In this paper, we examine whether our approach can be utilized with very small data sets (e.g., 5–10 images), as provided in publications. Depending on the network simulation model (e.g., rumor spread, cascading failure, and disease spread), we show that results obtained with little data can even surpass results obtained with moderate amounts of data at the cost of variability. Although a good accuracy is obtained in detecting several forms of errors, this paper is only a first step in the use of this technique for verification; hence, future works should assess the applicability of our approach to other types of network simulations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The accuracy of hourly global horizontal irradiance forecasts provided by the ICON (Icosahedral Nonhydrostatic Weather and Climate Model), GFS (Global Forecast System), and MeteoFrance Global models for Moscow, Russia, over a 36-h forecast horizon, is analyzed. The study investigates the suitability of these freely available global Numerical Weather Prediction (NWP) models for predicting the output of PV power plants, considering the standards of the Russian wholesale electricity and capacity market. The study conducts a comparative assessment of the forecasts from the mentioned models. A notable conclusion drawn from the study is the superior performance of all the NWP models over the naive 36-h persistence forecast, as indicated by the root mean square error, mean absolute error and mean bias error metrics. The overall findings suggest a higher accuracy of hourly global horizontal irradiance forecasts from the ICON model compared to the others under the investigated conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Markov chain analysis is a key technique in formal verification. A practical obstacle is that all probabilities in Markov models need to be known. However, system quantities such as failure rates or packet loss ratios, etc. are often not—or only partially—known. This motivates considering parametric models with transitions labeled with functions over parameters. Whereas traditional Markov chain analysis relies on a single, fixed set of probabilities, analysing parametric Markov models focuses on synthesising parameter values that establish a given safety or performance specification φ . Examples are: what component failure rates ensure the probability of a system breakdown to be below 0.00000001?, or which failure rates maximise the performance, for instance the throughput, of the system? This paper presents various analysis algorithms for parametric discrete-time Markov chains and Markov decision processes. We focus on three problems: (a) do all parameter values within a given region satisfy φ ?, (b) which regions satisfy φ and which ones do not?, and (c) an approximate version of (b) focusing on covering a large fraction of all possible parameter values. We give a detailed account of the various algorithms, present a software tool realising these techniques, and report on an extensive experimental evaluation on benchmarks that span a wide range of applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper presents a detailed verification of the Gale-Shapley algorithm for stable matching (or marriage). The verification proceeds by stepwise transformation of programs and proofs. The initial steps are on the level of imperative programs, ending in a linear time algorithm. An executable functional program is obtained in a last step. The emphasis is on the stepwise development of the algorithm and the required invariants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The elimination of both measles and rubella remains a priority for all 53 Member States of the World Health Organization (WHO) European Region. To provide an update on the epidemiological status of measles and rubella in the Region, we reviewed surveillance data on both diseases for 2023 submitted monthly by national surveillance institutions. We analyzed the cases of measles and rubella for 2023 by age group, case classification, vaccination, hospitalization, and importation status and report on measles-related deaths. In 2023, 60,860 measles cases, including 13 fatal cases, were reported in 41 countries. Most cases (95%; n = 57,584) were reported by six countries: Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Romania, the Russian Federation, and Türkiye. Of the 60,848 cases with data on age, 19,137 (31%) were 1–4 years old and 12,838 (21%) were 5–9 years old. A total of 10,412 (17%) were 20 years and older. The genotypes identified in the Region were largely dominated by D8 variants (n = 1357) and the remainder were B3 variants (n = 221). In 2023, 345 rubella cases were reported by 17 countries, mostly from Poland, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Türkiye, and Ukraine. A total of 262 cases (76%) were classified as clinically compatible and 79 (23%) were laboratory-confirmed. To achieve the elimination of measles and rubella in the Region, political commitment needs to be revived to enable urgent efforts to increase vaccination coverage, improve surveillance and outbreak preparedness, and respond immediately to outbreaks. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]