Abstract
Multi-temporal InSAR (MT- InSAR) observations, which enable deformation monitoring at an unprecedented scale, are usually affected by decorrelation and other noise inducing factors. Such observations (PS - Persistent scatterers), are usually in the order of several thousand, making their respective evaluation frequently computationally expensive. In the present study, we propose an approach for the detection of MT-InSAR outlying observations through the implementation of Convolutional Neural Networks (CNN) classification models. For each PS, the corresponding MT-InSAR parameters and the respective parameters of the neighboring scatterers and its relative position are considered. Tests in two independent datasets, covering the regions of Bratislava city and the suburbs of Prievidza, Slovakia, were performed. The results showed that such models offer a robust and reduced computation time method for the evaluation of MT-InSAR outlying observations. However, the applicability of these models is limited by the deformation pattern in which such models were trained.

Abstract
Extreme learning machines (ELMs) are a versatile machine learning technique that can be seamlessly implemented with optical systems. In short, they can be described as a network of hidden neurons with random fixed weights and biases, that generate a complex behaviour in response to an input. Yet, despite the success of the physical implementations of ELMs, there is still a lack of fundamental understanding about their optical implementations. This work makes use of an optical complex media to implement an ELM and introduce an ab-initio theoretical framework to support the experimental implementation. We validate the proposed framework, in particular, by exploring the correlation between the rank of the outputs, H, and its generalization capability, thus shedding new light into the inner workings of optical ELMs and opening paths towards future technological implementations of similar principles.

Abstract
In this paper, we investigate a new variant of the multi-commodity network flow problem, taking into consideration multiple transport lines and time windows. This variant arises in a city logistics environment, more specifically in a long-haul passenger transport system that is also used to transport urban freight. We propose two mixed integer programming models for two objective functions: minimization of network operational costs and minimization of travel times. Since the problems under study are NP-hard, we propose three size reduction heuristics. In order to assess the performance of the proposed algorithms, we carried out computational experiments on a set of synthetic problem instances. We use the relative percentage deviation as performance criterion. For the cost objective function, a LP-and-Fix algorithm outperforms other methods in most tested instances, but for the travel time, a hybrid method (size reduction with LP-and-Fix algorithm) is, in general, better than other approaches.

Abstract
Artificial Intelligence (AI), in all its different sub-fields, has grown significantly over the past years. When compared with other scientific or technological fields, this can almost be seen as a revolution. Nonetheless, as in other revolutions, not all that revolves around AI evolved at the same pace. As a consequence, many serious legal and ethical issues on the use of Artificial Intelligence are presently being raised. This paper addresses the main root causes for these problems from a technical standpoint, and then analyzes the legal and ethical framework. Finally, the paper describes a range of techniques and methods that can be used to address the identified problems, namely by ensuring transparency, fairness, equality, explanability and avoiding bias or discrimination. The field is presently at a tipping point, which can either lead to an avoidance of Artificial Intelligence due to fear or lack of regulation, or to a wide adoption supported by increased transparency and more human-centered approaches. Given the recent developments addressed in this paper, the paper argues in favor of a tendency towards the latter.

Abstract
In this paper, a hybrid machine learning model is applied to evaluate the relationship between random initial states and the power system's vulnerability to cascading outages. A cascading outage simulator (CS), which uses off-line AC power flows, is proposed for generating training data. The initial states are randomly selected and the CS model is deployed for each initial state, where power system generation and loads are adjusted dynamically and power flows are redistributed to quantify the vulnerability metric. Furthermore, the proposed hybrid machine learning model deploys a combined Support Vector Machine (SVM) classification and Gradient Boosting Regression (GBR) to improve the learning precision. The classification model is trained by SVM, which divides the data into two categories with and without load shedding. Then, GBR is adopted only for the data with load shedding to determine the relationship between input power outage states and the vulnerability metric. The proposed vulnerability analysis approach is applied to several test systems and the results are analyzed. Note to Practitioners-The power system vulnerability can be quantified by cascading outage simulations. However, there are two challenges: i) there are a huge number of possible initial states and we cannot enumerate all these initial states for the cascading outage simulation. Neither can we precisely quantify the bus vulnerability. ii) The cascading outage simulation may be time-consuming for large-scale power systems, which is challenging for the online application. To address the above challenges, we expect to design a machine learning technique to predict the power system vulnerability, which can train the model in an offline way and then use it for the online application. Firstly, since there is not enough operation data from practical power systems, we develop a cascading outage simulator, using off-line AC power flows, for generating synthetic training data. Secondly, we observe that the training precision by directly applying the regression model may be very poor because the output of the machine learning model may take on an uneven distribution concerning input parameters. Thus, we propose a hybrid machine learning model with a combined classification and regression method, where the classification model is employed to remove the data without the load shedding, and the regression model then determines the relationship between input power outage states and the vulnerability metric. The proposed model and method have been tested on several systems including a practical large-scale Polish power system to show the effectiveness.

Abstract
This paper presents a scoping review of the literature on user-centred usability evaluation of Embodied Communication Agents (ECAs) embedded in digital solutions to support older adults. Twenty-nine studies were included in this scoping review. The included studies reported the implementation of digital solutions to promote: (i) secure and supportive environment; (ii) healthcare provision; (iii) healthy lifestyles; and (iv) social involvement and active participation. In terms of usability evaluation, it was not possible to identify a common understanding on the methods and instruments being used since there is high heterogeneity in terms of experimental design. Moreover, some methodological flaws were identified when analysing the experimental design of the included studies. © 2022, The Author(s), under exclusive license to Springer Nature Switzerland AG.