bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Comparing between Product-specific and General Impulse Buying Tendency: Does Shoppers’ Personality Influence their Impulse Buying Tendency?
Authors: Parsad Chandan , Prashar Sanjeev , Vijay T. Sai
Published: January 2020

The sudden urge to buy, referred to as impulsive buying, is triggered by both a gamut of extraneous, market-related stimuli and internal psychological factors. The extant literature on this has majorly focused on the antecedents of impulsive shopping, prominent among these include traits (like sensation-seeking and impulse buying tendency or IBT), motives (utilitarian, hedonic), shoppers’ resources (time and money), and marketing stimuli. Although personality is a key determinant of consumer decision-making, the role of personality traits, specially extraversion, neuroticism, and conscientiousness, in impulse buying is not conclusive. Also, there exists a need for analysing impulse buying behaviour with respect to product-specific situations rather than general IBT. The present study fills this gap by analysing the role of three personality traits on impulse buying. A scenario-based online experiment was conducted, and the sample respondents were randomly categorised into two groups. The former group had respondents with an instrument to measure their IBT in general, while the later had respondents for whom the instrument was shared with a scenario built around the product category of apparel. With the data set of 386 respondents, the study reveals that the relationships between the two personality traits—extraversion and neuroticism, and IBT—are independent of the product category. However, the influence of conscientiousness on impulsive buying tendency depends on the product category. The study concludes with managerial implications.
The Effects of Inclusive Leadership on Job Performance through Mediators
Authors: Nguyen Phuong V. , Le Huyen Thi Ngoc , Trinh Thi Vu Anh , Do Huynh Thi Sa
Published: January 2020

This study aims to investigate the direct effects of inclusive leadership on person-job fit, employee well-being, and innovative behaviour. It also extends existing research to observe the role of mutual recognition respect and intrinsic motivation in job performance. By using a structural equation model approach to analyse the data survey from 387 respondents, who were working at interior design and construction companies, the results revealed that inclusive leadership has a positive impact on key determinants such as employee well-being, person-job fit, and innovative behaviour. However, person-job fit and employee well-being had no significant direct impact on job performance. The study also identified the mediating role of innovative behaviour in the linkage between person-job fit and job performance. Moreover, the results recognised two potential mediators as mutual recognition respect and intrinsic motivation could create a relationship between employee well-being and job performance. The findings highlighted theoretical and empirical contributions to further understanding of the roles of leader-member exchange policies on job performance. Finally, some managerial implications were suggested to enhance job performance in the workplace.
Monetary Loosening and Dividend Policy: Evidence from Vietnamese Stock Market
Authors: Tran Quoc Trung , Nguyen Xuan Minh , Nguyen Thi Hoang Anh , Nguyen Thi Mai , Truong Thi Thuy Trang
Published: January 2020

Vietnam is a promising laboratory to examine the effect of monetary loosening policy on corporate dividend decisions due to the following reasons: (1) Vietnamese government conducts monetary loosening policy continuously between 2007 and 2017; (2) the monetary policy relies mainly on money supply; and (3) credit channel is the dominant monetary transmission channel. With a research data including 4,493 observations from 2008 to 2017, we find that both the choice to pay dividends and dividend payout ratio are positively affected by money supply and this effect is mitigated by corporate cash holdings. In addition, money supply is positively related to speed of dividend adjustment.
Audit Committee Characteristics, Board Diversity, and Fraudulent Financial Reporting in Malaysia
Authors: Marzuki Marziana Madah , Haji-Abdullah Noor Marini , Othman Rohana , Abdul Wahab Effiezal Aswadi , Harymawan Iman
Published: January 2020

We investigate the relationship between audit committee characteristics, board diversity, and the propensity of committing fraud among Malaysian firms. Based on a matched-pair sample of 64 observations for the years 2002–2014, we find limited evidence to suggest that audit committee characteristics matters. However, we find a negative relationship between the percentage of female directors and the likelihood of fraud. Results highlight the importance of the audit committee (in) effectiveness and the relative importance of female directors in Malaysia. Our results are robust when we consider a structural change in corporate governance policies in Malaysia.
Integração de um sistema fotovoltaico isolado e de coleta seletiva de resíduos em um quiosque multifuncional
Authors: Nascimento JFabiano Almeida , Vieira Samara Pereira , Andrade Júnior Sizenando José de , Cavalcanti Luiz Antônio Pimentel
Published: January 2020

A revolução da matriz energética mundial perpassa pela introdução de novas fontes de geração de energia elétrica visando a reduzir os danos à Natureza e o menor custo de geração em relação às fontes convencionais. Nesse contexto, o presente trabalho tem como objetivo atender parte da demanda energética da comunidade académica local, utilizando um sistema fotovoltaico no intuito também de promover coleta seletiva e conscientização sobre sustentabilidade. Para tanto é disponibilizado uma central de recarga de aparelhos eletrônicos pessoais, como celulares, tablets e notebooks, através de cabos multi-USB e tomadas 2P+T, que disponibilizam energia elétrica proveniente da fonte solar, incluindo em seu arranjo espaços para coleta seletiva de baterias, plásticos, metais, papeis e vidros. O projeto almeja alocar protótipos em instituições de ensino visando a incrementar a didática de aprendizado sobre o funcionamento da geração elétrica de energia, através do recurso solar e, paralelamente, incentivar a criação de uma cultura voltada à utilização de fontes renováveis não convencionais na matriz energética brasileira. O primeiro protótipo do projeto foi desenvolvido e instalado no Instituto Federal de Educação, Ciência e Tecnologia da Bahia (IFBA), Campus de Paulo Afonso, e tem sido utilizado amplamente pela comunidade acadêmica para recarga de equipamentos e entretenimento, bem como tem dado suporte a pesquisas científicas com ênfase em energias renováveis e coleta seletiva de resíduos.
Gauss law, minimal coupling and fermionic PEPS for lattice gauge theories
Authors: Emonts Patrick , Zohar Erez
Published: January 2020

In these lecture notes, we review some recent works on Hamiltonian lattice
gauge theories, that involve, in particular, tensor network methods.
The results reviewed here are tailored together in a slightly different
way from the one used in the contexts where they were first introduced.
We look at the Gauss law from two different points of view:
for the gauge field, it is a differential equation, while from
the matter point of view, on the other hand, it is a simple, explicit algebraic equation.
We will review and discuss what these two points of view allow and do not allow us to do, in terms of unitarily gauging a pure-matter theory and eliminating the matter from a gauge theory, and relate that to the construction of PEPS (Projected Entangled Pair States) for lattice gauge theories.
Government debt forecasting based on the Arima model
Authors: Zhuravka Fedir , Filatova Hanna , O. Aiyedogbon John
Published: January 2020

The paper explores theoretical and practical aspects of forecasting the government debt in Ukraine. A visual analysis of changes in the amount of government debt was conducted, which has made it possible to conclude about the deepening of the debt crisis in the country. The autoregressive integrated moving average (ARIMA) is considered as the basic forecasting model; besides, the model work and its diagnostics are estimated. The EViews software package illustrates the procedure for forecasting the Ukrainian government debt for the ARIMA model: the series for stationarity was tested, the time series of monthly government debt was converted into stationary by making a number of transformations and determining model parameters; as a result, the most optimal specification for the ARIMA model was chosen.Based on the simulated time series, it is concluded that ARIMA tools can be used to predict the government debt values.
Leak Detection
Authors: Hamilton Stuart , Charalambous Bambos
Published: January 2020

Ageing infrastructure and declining water resources are major concerns with a growing global population. Controlling water loss has therefore become a priority for water utilities around the world. In order to improve their efficiencies, water utilities need to apply good practice in leak detection.

To deal with losses in an effective manner, particularly from networks in water-scarce areas, water utility managers are increasingly turning to technology to reduce costs, increase efficiency and improve reliability. Companies that continuously invest in technology and innovation should see a positive return on investment in terms of improving daily operations and collection and analysis of network data for decisionmaking and forward planning.

Methodologies for achieving the best results to reduce water losses are continuously evolving. Water utilities and equipment manufacturers are increasingly working together to stretch the boundaries of current knowledge. This is leading to some innovative technologies and new product development to complement current methodologies. This book reflects the situation at the time of publication.

This second edition of the book updates practices and technologies that have been introduced or further developed in recent years in leakage detection. It outlines recent advancements in technology used, such as satellite aided methods in leak location, pipeline inspection with thermal diagnostics, inspection of pipelines by air using infrared or thermal imaging cameras, drones for leak detection activities and even sniffer dogs. In addition, it is enriched with new case studies that provide useful examples of practical applications of several leak detection practices and technologies.

ISBN: 9781789060843 (paperback)

ISBN: 9781789060850 (eBook)

ISBN: 9781789060867 (ePub)
Water in military stabilisation operations: comprehensive water intervention framework for conflict management and peacekeeping
Authors: Huizinga R. P. , Enserink B.
Published: January 2020

Water issues can be a root cause of political instability, but even in times of crisis, and especially in the aftermath of war, water management also requires and contributes towards co-operation. Within the complexity of military stabilisation operations, water management has been identified as a potentially suitable crisis and conflict management tool. Therefore, a comprehensive and appropriate approach to apply water throughout the entire process of transition from a conflict, post-conflict or unstable region towards stability, peace and prosperity is desirable. During the Dutch military stabilisation mission in the Afghan province of Uruzgan, water management was applied effectively by the Netherlands Army as an instrument to create stability and co-operation in the conflict and post-conflict period. Based on this experience, a Comprehensive Water Intervention Framework is presented in this paper. By integrating water management, military, development, diplomacy and co-operation approaches, this framework provides practical guidance for policymakers, mission planners and field officers. Its implementation follows after the initial military intervention and within the stabilisation operation, as a mechanism contributing to peacekeeping and development efforts. The framework can also be further improved, most notably by integrating land management and experiences gained from its implementation in civil–military exercises and from its actual application in stabilisation operations.
The bottlenecks and causes, and potential solutions for municipal sewage treatment in China
Authors: Cao Yeshi , Van Loosdrecht M. C. M. , Daigger Glen. T.
Published: January 2020

Since about the 1990s China has achieved remarkable progress in urban sanitation. The country has built very extensive infrastructure for wastewater treatment, with 94.5% treatment coverage in urban areas and legally mandated nation-wide full nutrient removal implemented. However, municipal wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) in China are still confronted with issues rooted in the unique sewage characteristics. This study compares energy recovery, cost of nutrient removal and sludge production between Chinese municipal WWTPs and those in countries with longer wastewater treatment traditions, and highlights the cause-effect relationships between Chinese sewage characteristics – high inorganic suspended solids (ISS) loads, and low COD and C/N ratio, and municipal WWTP process performance in China. Integrated design and operation guidelines for municipal WWTPs are imperative in relation to the unique sewage characteristics in China. Cost-effective measures and solutions are proposed in the paper, and the potential benefits of improving the sustainability of municipal WWTPs in China are estimated.
Treatment of sidestream dewatering liquors from thermally hydrolised and anaerobically digested biosolids
Authors: Driessen W. , Van Veldhoven J. T. A. , Janssen M. P. M. , Van Loosdrecht M. C. M.
Published: January 2020

A long term operation (22 months) of the sidestream treatment plant at the water and resource recovery facility at the Tilburg sewage works in The Netherlands is presented. This plant treats dewatering reject liquor from thermally hydrolysed (THP) and mesophillic anaerobically digested (MAD) biosolids. The sidestream plant is comprised of a Phospaq struvite reactor for removal and recovery of phosphate and an Anammox reactor for removal of ammoniacal nitrogen. Potential inhibiting characteristics of THP-MAD reject liquor were successfully mitigated by various measures like pre-aeration and addition of dilution water. The sidestream plant demonstrated excellent performance in handling large fluctuations in load and composition, producing effluent with stable low NH4 and BOD concentrations achieving removal efficiencies up to 90% on both NH4 and BOD.
A Review of Recent Developments and Progress in Computational Drug Repositioning
Authors: Shi Wanwan , Chen Xuegong , Deng Lei
Published: January 2020

Computational drug repositioning is an efficient approach towards discovering new indications for
existing drugs. In recent years, with the accumulation of online health-related information and the extensive use
of biomedical databases, computational drug repositioning approaches have achieved significant progress in drug
discovery. In this review, we summarize recent advancements in drug repositioning. Firstly, we explicitly
demonstrated the available data source information which is conducive to identifying novel indications. Furthermore,
we provide a summary of the commonly used computing approaches. For each method, we briefly described
techniques, case studies, and evaluation criteria. Finally, we discuss the limitations of the existing computing
approaches.
Current Nanoparticle Approaches in Nose to Brain Drug Delivery and Anticancer Therapy - A Review
Authors: Ansari Mohammad A. , Chung Ill-Min , Rajakumar Govindasamy , Alzohairy Mohammad A. , Alomary Mohammad N. , Thiruvengadam Muthu , Pottoo Faheem H. , Ahmad Niyaz
Published: January 2020

:

Nanoparticles (NPs) are unique may be organic or inorganic, play a vital role in the development of
drug delivery targeting the central nervous system (CNS). Intranasal drug delivery has shown to be an efficient
strategy with attractive application for drug delivery to the CNS related diseases, such as Parkinson's disease,
Alzheimer 's disease and brain solid tumors. Blood brain barrier (BBB) and blood-cerebrospinal fluid barriers are
natural protective hindrances for entry of drug molecules into the CNS. Nanoparticles exhibit excellent intruding
capacity for therapeutic agents and overcome protective barriers. By using nanotechnology based NPs targeted,
drug delivery can be improved across BBB with discharge drugs in a controlled manner. NPs confer safe from
degradation phenomenon. Several kinds of NPs are used for nose to the brain (N2B) enroute, such as lipidemic
nanoparticles, polymeric nanoparticles, inorganic NPs, solid lipid NPs, dendrimers. Among them, popular lipidemic
and polymeric NPs are discussed, and their participation in anti-cancer activity has also been highlighted in
this review.
SO3H-functionalized Zeolite-Y as an Efficient Nanocatalyst for the Synthesis of Nbenzimidazole- 2-aryl-4-thiazolidinones and tri-substituted Imidazoles
Authors: Kalhor Mehdi , Zarnegar Zohre , Seyedzade Zahra , Banibairami Soodabeh
Published: January 2020

Background:

SO3H-functionalized zeolite-Y was prepared and used as a catalyst for the synthesis of
2-aryl-N-benzimidazole-4-thiazolidinones and tri-substituted imidazoles at ambient conditions.

Objective:

The goals of this catalytic method include excellent yields and high purity, inexpensive procedure
and ease of product isolation, the use of nontoxic and heterogeneous acid catalyst, shorter reaction times and
milder conditions.

Materials and Methods:

NMR spectra were recorded on Brucker spectrophotometer using Me4Si as internal
standard. Mass spectra were recorded on an Agilent Technology 5975C VL MSD with tripe-axis detector. FTIR
spectra were obtained with KBr disc on a galaxy series FT-IR 5000 spectrometer. The surface morphology
of nanostructures was analyzed by FE-SEM (EVO LS 10, Zeiss, Carl Zeiss, Germany). BET analysis were
measured at 196 °C by a Japan Belsorb II system after the samples were vacuum dried at 150°C overnight.

Results:

The NSZ was characterized by FT-IR, FESEM, EDX, XRF, and BET. The catalytic activity of NSZ
was investigated for synthesis of 1,3-tiazolidin-4-ones in H2O/Acetone at room temperature. Moreover, NSZ
was used for synthesis of tri-substituted imidazoles at 60 °C via solvent-free condensation. Different kinds of
aromatic aldehydes were converted to the corresponding of products with good to excellent yields.

Conclusion:

Sulfonated zeolite-Y was as an efficient catalyst for the preparation of N-benzimidazole-2-aryl-1,3-
thiazolidin-4-ones and 2,4,5-triaryl-1H-imidazoles. High reaction rates, elimination toxic solvent, simple experimental
procedure and reusability of the catalyst are the important features of this protocol.
New Spectrophotometric Method for the Assessment of Catalase Enzyme Activity in Biological Tissues
Authors: Hamza Thulfeqar A. , Hadwan Mahmoud H.
Published: January 2020

Background:

Catalase is a vital antioxidant enzyme that dismutates H2O2 into water and
molecular oxygen. Many protocols have been developed to measure catalase enzyme activity. Spectrophotometric
methods are the most common assays that used to assess catalase enzyme activity.

Methods:

Because the rate-limiting step during catalase enzyme activity depends upon the dissociation
of hydrogen peroxide, the developed assay measures the reaction between a hydroquinone/
anilinium sulfate/ammonium molybdate reagent and Unreacted Hydrogen Peroxide, which results in
the production of a purple, disubstituted quinone compound with a maximum absorbance value at
550 nm.

Results:

To clarify the precision of the developed method, the coefficients of variation were determined
to be 2.6% and 4.7% within run measurements and between run measurements, respectively.
This method returned results that correlated well (r = 0.9982) with the results returned using the
peroxovanadate method to assess catalase enzyme activity. Additionally, we examined the use of the
newly developed hydroquinone assay to measure catalase enzyme activity in liver and bacterial homogenate
samples.

Conclusion:

These results demonstrated that this assay can be used for scientific research and routine
health applications because it is inexpensive, simple, accurate, and rapid. This method is suitable for
use in clinical pathology laboratories because it is simple and produces precise and reproducible results.
Pretreatment Techniques for Drug Residues in the Environment before their Quantitation
Authors: Tang Jingyi , Yang Min , Yao Shun
Published: January 2020

Background:

More and more chemical substances are being released to the environment. Therefore, environmental problems caused by different pollutants have attracted the long-term attention.

Objective:

Sample pretreatment have always been the bottleneck restricting the development of residual drugs analysis, so the latest development in various pretreatment technologies and current status for different residual drugs in environmental samples are reviewed.

Method:

For systematic and explicit description, all of the contents were elucidated and summarized in a series of independent parts. In each part, it started from the research background or a conceptual framework and then specific examples were introduced to illustrate the theme. Finally, the important conclusions were drawn and its future was out looked after the discussion about related key problems appearing in each mentioned research.

Results:

The whole review was composed of four parts, and 111 papers were cited in total. Six figures were used to depict progress in potential pretreatment technologies for residual drugs in environment, and nine tables were employed to summarize pretreatment and analysis results for various residual drugs in environment.

Conclusion:

This review placed emphasis on the development of pretreatment techniques of residual drugs in a specific manner, leading to meaningful and valuable related information to some related fields and thus promotes further research and application of related methods. The deep exploration for key scientific problems is the driving force to their effective detection and strict control.
An Overview on Recent Patents and Technologies on Solid Dispersion
Authors: Kaushik Ritu , Budhwar Vikas , Kaushik Deepak
Published: January 2020

The oral bioavailability enhancement of poorly water-soluble medicaments is still one of the most complicated aspects of the formulation development. Various approaches are currently available for solubility and rate of dissolution enhancement such as salt formation, solubilization and reduction of particle size, each with its own limitations and advantages. Solid dispersion is one of the most suitable approaches for the formulation development of poorly water-soluble drugs. The popularity of solid dispersion is evident from the increasing number of patent applications and patents granted in this field during recent years. This article reviews the various approaches for the preparation of solid dispersion such as a solvent melting, hot-melt extrusion method, solvent evaporation method, cryogenic processing approaches etc. from the perspective of patents filed or granted for these techniques. Some of the aspects taken into account before the preparation of solid dispersions are carrier selection and physicchemical testing along with an insight into the molecular arrangement of medicaments in solid dispersion. The manuscript further highlights various commercial patented technology platforms such as Solumertm, Hovione and Kinetisol which are based on the concept of solid dispersions.
Nanotherapies for the Treatment of Age-Related Macular Degeneration (AMD) Disease: Recent Advancements and Challenges
Authors: Rapalli Vamshi Krishna , Gorantla Srividya , Waghule Tejashree , Mahmood Arisha , Singh Prem Prakash , Dubey Sunil Kumar , Saha Ranendra Narayan , Singhvi Gautam
Published: January 2020

Age-related Macular Degeneration (AMD) is one of the common diseases affecting the posterior
part of the eye, of a large population above 45 years old. Anti-Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor-
A (Anti-VEGF-A) agents have been considered and approved as therapeutic agents for the treatment
of AMD. Due to the large molecular weight and poor permeability through various eye membranes,
VEGF-A inhibitors are given through an intravitreal injection, even though the delivery of small therapeutic
molecules by topical application to the posterior part of the eye exhibits challenges in the treatment.
To overcome these limitations, nanocarrier based delivery systems have been utilized to a large
extent for the delivery of therapeutics. Nanocarriers system offers prodigious benefits for the delivery of
therapeutics to the posterior part of the eye in both invasive and non-invasive techniques. The nano size
can improve the permeation of therapeutic agent across the biological membranes. They provide protection
from enzymes present at the site, targeted delivery or binding with the disease site and extend the
release of therapeutic agents with prolonged retention. This leads to improved therapeutic efficacy, patient
compliance, and cost effectiveness of therapy with minimum dose associated side-effects. This
review has summarized various nanocarriers explored for the treatment of AMD and challenges in
translation.
Tools for App- and Web-Based Self-Testing of Cognitive Impairment: Systematic Search and Evaluation (Preprint)
Authors: Charalambous Anna Pavlina , Pye Annie , Yeung Wai Kent , Leroi Iracema , Neil Malcolm , Thodi Chryssoula , Dawes Piers
Published: January 2020

BACKGROUND

Tools for app- and Web-based self-testing for identification of cognitive impairment are widely available but are of uncertain quality.

OBJECTIVE

The objective of this study was to undertake a scoping review of app- and Web-based self-tests for cognitive impairment and determine the validity of these tests.

METHODS

We conducted systematic searches in electronic databases, including Google search, Google Play Store, and iPhone Operating System App Store, using the search terms “Online OR Internet-based AND Memory OR Brain OR Dementia OR mild cognitive impairment OR MCI AND Test OR Screen OR Check.”

RESULTS

We identified 3057 tools, of which 25 were included in the review. Most tools meeting the inclusion criteria assessed multiple cognitive domains. The most frequently assessed domains were memory, attention, and executive function. We then conducted an electronic survey with the developers of the tools to identify data relating to development and validation of each tool. If no response to the survey was received, Google (to identify gray literature), Google Scholar, and Medical Literature Analysis and Retrieval System Online were searched using key terms “(name of developer, if available)” AND “(the name of the tool)” to identify any additional data. Only 7 tools had any information concerning psychometric quality, and only 1 tool reported data on performance norms, reliability, validity, sensitivity, and specificity for the detection of cognitive impairment.

CONCLUSIONS

The number of cognitive self-assessment electronic health tools for cognitive impairment is increasing, but most are of uncertain quality. There is a need for well-validated tools and guidance for users concerning which tools provide reliable information about possible cognitive impairment that could warrant further investigation.
Information and Communications Technology–Based Interventions Targeting Patient Empowerment: Framework Development (Preprint)
Authors: Karni Liran , Dalal Koustuv , Memedi Mevludin , Kalra Dipak , Klein Gunnar Oskar
Published: January 2020

BACKGROUND

Empowerment of patients is often an explicit goal of various information and communications technology (ICT) (electronic, digital) interventions where the patients themselves use ICT tools via the internet. Although several models of empowerment exist, a comprehensive and pragmatic framework is lacking for the development of such interventions.

OBJECTIVE

This study proposes a framework for digital interventions aiming to empower patients that includes a methodology that links objectives, strategies, and evaluation.

METHODS

This study is based on a literature review and iterated expert discussions including a focus group to formulate the proposed model. Our model is based on a review of various models of empowerment and models of technology intervention.

RESULTS

Our framework includes the core characteristics of the empowerment concept (control, psychological coping, self-efficacy, understanding, legitimacy, and support) as well as a set of empowerment consequences: expressed patient perceptions, behavior, clinical outcomes, and health systems effects. The framework for designing interventions includes strategies to achieve empowerment goals using different ICT services. Finally, the intervention model can be used to define project evaluations where the aim is to demonstrate empowerment. The study also included example indicators and associated measurement instruments.

CONCLUSIONS

This framework, which includes definitions, can be useful for the design and evaluation of digital interventions targeting patient empowerment and assist in the development of methods to measure results in this dimension. Further evaluation in the form of interventional studies will be needed to assess the generalizability of the model.
An Ensemble Learning Strategy for Eligibility Criteria Text Classification for Clinical Trial Recruitment: Algorithm Development and Validation (Preprint)
Authors: Zeng Kun , Pan Zhiwei , Xu Yibin , Qu Yingying
Published: January 2020

BACKGROUND

Eligibility criteria are the main strategy for screening appropriate participants for clinical trials. Automatic analysis of clinical trial eligibility criteria by digital screening, leveraging natural language processing techniques, can improve recruitment efficiency and reduce the costs involved in promoting clinical research.

OBJECTIVE

We aimed to create a natural language processing model to automatically classify clinical trial eligibility criteria.

METHODS

We proposed a classifier for short text eligibility criteria based on ensemble learning, where a set of pretrained models was integrated. The pretrained models included state-of-the-art deep learning methods for training and classification, including Bidirectional Encoder Representations from Transformers (BERT), XLNet, and A Robustly Optimized BERT Pretraining Approach (RoBERTa). The classification results by the integrated models were combined as new features for training a Light Gradient Boosting Machine (LightGBM) model for eligibility criteria classification.

RESULTS

Our proposed method obtained an accuracy of 0.846, a precision of 0.803, and a recall of 0.817 on a standard data set from a shared task of an international conference. The macro F1 value was 0.807, outperforming the state-of-the-art baseline methods on the shared task.

CONCLUSIONS

We designed a model for screening short text classification criteria for clinical trials based on multimodel ensemble learning. Through experiments, we concluded that performance was improved significantly with a model ensemble compared to a single model. The introduction of focal loss could reduce the impact of class imbalance to achieve better performance.
One Step Back, Two Steps Ahead
Authors: Franke Tobias
Published: January 2020

By analyzing the European Security Strategy (ESS) this paper identifies five underlying key tensions which evolve around the questions: what are the threats the EU is facing, how (if at all) will it use force to counter these threats, what precisely are the objectives and interests Brussels seeks to achieve and defend and what capabilities does the EU need for these ends, how will it structure its interaction with the US/NATO, and what is the realm – the geographical scope – of the EU‘s security ambitions? The paper is well aware of the interlinkage of these questions but chooses geography as a starting point of analysis.
Comparative safety and efficacy of ozanimod versus fingolimod for relapsing multiple sclerosis
Authors: Swallow Elyse , Patterson-Lomba Oscar , Yin Lei , Mehta Rina , Pelletier Corey , Kao David , Sheffield James K , Stonehouse Tim , Signorovitch James
Published: January 2020

Aim:Ozanimod and fingolimod are sphingosine 1-phosphate receptor–modulating therapies for relapsing multiple sclerosis.Patients & methods:Comparative effectiveness was assessed by matching adjusted indirect comparisons of safety and efficacy trial outcomes at first-dose cardiac monitoring, 1 year and 2 years.Results:After adjustment, baseline characteristics were similar. Ozanimod was associated with a lower risk of extended first-dose monitoring, conduction abnormalities including atrioventricular block. One-year risks of any adverse event (AE), mean lymphocyte count reductions and abnormal liver enzymes were lower with ozanimod. Two-year risks of AEs leading to discontinuation, any AEs, herpetic infections, bradycardia and abnormal liver enzymes were lower with ozanimod. Analyses of efficacy outcomes were similar.Conclusion:Ozanimod appears to have a favorable benefit-risk profile versus fingolimod.
Efficient agent-based negotiation by predicting opponent preferences using AHP
Authors: Kiruthika Usha , Somasundaram Thamarai Selvi
Published: January 2020

Negotiation is a process essential for a wide range of applications. The complex decision making involved in negotiation makes its automation difficult. The complexity is further increased as negotiators hide their individual preferences from each other to avoid exploitation by the opponent. Even though sharing of private preference information leads to better agreement for both sides, it is never done in the absence of trust. In this work, we learn opponent’s preference information from the offers given by the opponent using Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP). We apply our approach to the negotiation of Quality-of-Service (QoS) parameters for the establishment of Service Level Agreements (SLA) between a provider and a consumer. Experiments show that using AHP, the negotiations are faster and the agreements are on or nearer to the pareto-optimal line.
Exploring the prospect of marine microalgae Isochrysis galbana as sustainable solid biofuel feedstock
Authors: Sukarni Sukarni , Sumarli Sumarli , Nauri Imam Muda , Purnami Purnami , Mufid Akhmad Al , Yanuhar Uun
Published: January 2020

Among the renewable biomass fuel alternatives, microalgae are the most important future choices owing to its fast growth rate and great capability for CO2 fixation. There are various species in the world, in which each species has its characteristics. This work presents a prospect of marine microalgae Isochrysis galbana for renewable fuel feedstock regarding its biomass abundance, physicochemical properties, and thermal characteristic. The seawater medium in the Erlenmeyer flask was used for the algal culturing. The biomass abundance, in term of specific growth rate and doubling time, was assessed by calculating the culture medium cells number with a hemocytometer and optical microscope. Harvesting was done by precipitating biomass with caustic soda, subsequently filtering, and washing it with distilled water. The biomass sediment had been sun-dried for three days, and then dried biomass was crushed by using the mortar to be a powder. The proximate analysis was arranged by conducting an experiment in according to the test method of ASTM D 3173-11, ASTM D 3175-11, ASTM D 3172-13 and ASTM D 3174-12 for specifying the content of moisture, volatile matter, fixed carbon, and ash of the sample, respectively. The heating value was estimated by using adiabatic bomb calorimeter. The chemical composition of biomass was determined by Energy-dispersive X-ray (EDX) spectrometry. The biomass cellular macromolecular compounds were also evaluated by Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy and compared with its residue. Through eight days observation, it was noticeable that Isochrysis galbana has a specific growth rate of 0.18 d-1 and a doubling time of 3.85 d. The respective moisture, volatile matter, fixed carbon, and ash content were 12.98, 40.10, 7.47, and 39.45 (%, air-dried basis). The energy content algal biomass was 16.22 MJ kg-1. This current investigation encourages that Isochrysis galbana can be viable as one of a future sustainable solid biofuel feedstock.
El estado constitucional europeo
Authors: Häberle Peter
Published: January 2020

Este ensayo se divide en dos partes. La primera aborda el concepto de "constitucionalidad" señalando los aspectos centrales que se plantean actualmente en la relación entre Estado y Constitución: primero, que el Estado no es algo previo respecto de la Constitución, pues la premisa antropológico-cultural del Estado constitucional democrático es la dignidad humana; segundo, que la cultura es un elemento fundamental para la comprensión tanto de la Constitución como del Estado; tercero, que los principales desafíos que enfrenta el Estado constitucional se refieren a su relación con la nación y las minorías, al proceso de federalización y regionalización, y a su apertura hacia el exterior. Con fundamento en las tesis anteriores, la segunda parte examina el surgimiento de un derecho constitucional europeo en tres direcciones: el derecho europeo propiamente dicho, que incluye al derecho comunitario y al derecho de otros organismos europeos; el derecho constitucional común europeo, que comprende los principios comunes de los derechos constitucionales nacionales, y el derecho constitucional europeo nacional, que se refiere a la creciente inclusión de disposiciones sobre Europa en las constituciones nacionales. El ensayo concluye con algunas observaciones sobre el "jurista europeo" y el problema de la verdad en el Estado constitucional.
La reforma constitucional de 1999 a los organismos protectores de los derechos humanos.
Authors: Carpizo Jorge
Published: January 2020

"La causa principal de la creación de la Comisión Nacional de Derechos Humanos fue el aumento alarmante de las violaciones de los derechos humanos cometidas principalmente por los ministerios públicos y policías federales que tenían a su cargo la lucha contra el narcotráfico". Con esta idea sobre el origen de la Comisión, el autor expone la evolución que esta institución ha tenido hasta nuestros días en México, centrando su análisis en la reciente reforma constitucional de 13 de septiembre de 1999. Así, nos da su opinión sobre la denominación adoptada, su naturaleza jurídica autónoma y, lo más trascendente a su parecer, pues con ello se reafirma el carácter autónomo, la designación del presidente de la CNDH como facultad exclusiva del Senado y en recesos de éste de la Comisión Permanente. Finalmente, sobresale el análisis detallado que hace de los artículos transitorios, dos de los cuales contrastan, pues uno está fundado en los elogios al Consejo y otro en el cuestionamiento a la entonces titular de la Presidencia, y de las propuestas que no fueron aceptadas, algunas con las que coincide el autor como por ejemplo la facultad para ejercer la acción de inconstitucionalidad o la de conocer de actos administrativos de los tribunales federales.
Función y significado del recurso constitucional en Alemania.
Authors: Limbach Jutta
Published: January 2020

El artículo presenta al recurso constitucional o Verfassungsbeschwerde, similar al amparo mexicano, ante el Tribunal Constitucional Federal alemán como un medio extraordinario de impugnación que permite a los ciudadanos combatir cualquier violación a sus derechos fundamentales por actos de cualquier órgano del poder público. A pesar de la escasa proba-bilidad de ser admitido y declarado fundado, el recurso constitucional goza de extraordinaria popularidad y ha sido de gran importancia para el desarrollo de la juris- prudencia sobre los derechos fundamentales y, en este sentido, el artículo ofrece numerosos ejemplos. Se analiza también la relación entre la jurisdicción constitucional y la ordinaria. Dada la amplitud del control constitucional por el Tribunal, la división de tareas es de tipo funcional y no sustantivo. Por último, se abordan las perspectivas del recurso constitucional. El principal desafío reside en el excesivo número de recursos y en la necesidad de hacer una selección. Se descarta la posibilidad de su supresión, pero también se advierte contra la recepción incondicional de un procedimiento discrecional como el certiorari ante la Suprema Corte de los Estados Unidos. Se propone que cualquier procedimiento de selección tome en cuenta tanto el carácter extraordinario del recurso como su función protectora de los derechos individuales.
Derecho de asociación y confesiones religiosas en la Constitución de 1931.
Authors: Martinez-Torron Javier
Published: January 2020

El autor hace un análisis objetivo de la situación social, política y jurídica de España en la Segunda República, respecto de la relación entre el Estado, el derecho de asociación y las confesiones religiosas. Afirma que el fracaso de la Segunda República respecto de la cuestión religiosa fue resultado de la incapacidad de diálogo político de los participantes que tomaron posiciones inflexibles de enfrentamiento entre los católicos y los socialistas. La Constitución y la Legislación Republicana han pasado a la historia como un ejemplo de falta de realismo y de intolerancia religiosa. Concluye el autor que la delimitación precisa de lo que corresponde a la sociedad civil y a la sociedad religiosa, y sus consecuencias respecto a la estructura política del Estado, fue y es materia abierta de discusión.
Instrumentos constitucionales para el control parlamentario.
Authors: Mora-Donatto Cecilia
Published: January 2020

El artículo llama la atención sobre la necesidad de revitalizar la facultad de control del Congreso mexicano partiendo de la idea de que este control es una de las facultades esenciales a todo Parlamento en un auténtico Estado de derecho. Después de realizar el estudio de la evolución del término "control parlamentario", la autora ofrece una nueva noción a partir de la cual pasará revista a los órganos e instrumentos que la Constitución mexicana prevé para mantener el equilibrio entre el Poder Legislativo y el Ejecutivo, los que considera no han cumplido su cometido. La autora analiza, entre otros, el procedimiento legislativo, los controles financieros y las comisiones de investigación. Aborda, igualmente, el estudio del actual formato del informe presidencial, así como las preguntas e interpelaciones para sostener que es posible incorporar estas últimas como instrumentos de control parlamentario. Finalmente, el artículo da cuenta de lo que el acceso a la información representa para la función de control.
Algunos aspectos de la participación de México ante los órganos del Sistema Interamericano de Protección de los Derechos Humanos
Authors: Carmona Tinoco Jorge Ulises
Published: January 2020

El presente artículo tiene por objeto mostrar un panorama de la participación de México ante la Comisión Interamericana de Derechos Humanos y la Corte Interamericana de Derechos Humanos. Con dicho fin, se estudia de manera general, la génesis del Sistema Interamericano de Protección de los Derechos Humanos, así como la evolución de sus órganos de supervisión, destacando el significado de su labor en la atención de peticiones individuales de violaciones de los derechos humanos en el continente americano. La participación del gobierno de México ante dichos órganos de supervisión se ha traducido, entre otras acciones: en la ratificación progresiva de los instrumentos interamericanos vigentes; en la participación y colaboración como parte de los procedimientos de quejas individuales y medidas de protección en casos concretos; en la evolución de la jurisprudencia internacional a través del impulso y planteamiento de opiniones consultivas ante la Corte Interamericana de Derechos Humanos, y en la participación que han tenido destacados juristas mexicanos en calidad de expertos integrantes de la comisión y de la corte.
Dos visiones constitucionales divergentes sobre el amparo: los casos argentino y español
Authors: Carnota Walter F.
Published: January 2020

La presencia y desarrollo institucional del amparo en Argentina y en España se debe a la transición constitucional que tuvo lugar en ambos países, afirma el autor de este artículo. En su análisis comparativo, esta institución se contrasta con la clase de derechos que se protegen, los sujetos a quienes alcanza su ámbito protector, los niveles jurisdiccionales de protección, el tipo de actos que pueden ser controlados, (donde se destacan las sentencias judiciales), y finalmente, la selección en la resolución de los asuntos ocurridos, para detener el número excesivo de amparos. Concluye el autor que la fisonomía entre ambas instituciones es muy similar.
La reforma política que espera Argentina
Authors: Gentile Jorge Horacio
Published: January 2020

La crisis política sufrida en Argentina en el 2001 fue consecuencia de la corrupción, de un sistema político erróneo y de una falta de conciencia cívica en los políticos y ciudadanos argentinos. Este artículo propone una reforma política íntegra, más que constitucional, que supere las causas últimas que ocasionaron dicha crisis. Así, se hace una propuesta para reformar los aspectos institucional, electoral y de educación política, tomando como punto de partida las experiencias obtenidas de la reforma realizada en la provincia de Córdoba.
Le "nuove" fonti nel trattato constituzionale europeo
Authors: Celotto Alfonso
Published: January 2020

¿Son aplicables las fuentes del derecho nacional al sistema europeo? El autor analiza la introducción del nuevo sistema de fuentes basado en el texto mismo del tratado que instituye la Constitución europea, las leyes y leyes marco, los reglamentos, ciertas normas atípicas. Contrariamente a lo que pudiera suponerse, entre las distintas normas jurídicas no se sigue un criterio jerárquico lineal sino más bien competencial, categoría más propia para sistematizar el complejo normativo creado. El autor resalta la importancia de la primacía del derecho europeo, sin embargo, también señala que esta primacía admite límites constitucionales nacionales, los cuales constituyen elementos de integración que en ocasiones pueden derogar al derecho europeo.
Peter Häberle en calidad de iusfilósofo pionero del constitucionalismo europeo. Elementos artístico-musicales claros y subliminales detectados en la estructura interna de sus obras como reflejo del humanismo vital del autor
Authors: Mikunda Franco Emilio
Published: January 2020

Peter Häberle, uno de los constitucionalistas más importantes de nuestros tiempos, digno representante del constitucionalismo europeo, es para sorpresa de muchos un amante de la música y pianista. Esta pasión se refleja en sus tratados jurídicos y es por ello que se puede observar un paralelismo entre su terminología musical y jurídica. Este trabajo constituye un reconocimiento a su perfil artístico, a su lado humano.
El principio pro persona en la administración de justicia
Authors: Castilla Karlos
Published: January 2020

La aplicación del sistema normativo de los derechos humanos por los jueces nacionales constituye un aspecto medular para garantizar el respeto y la vigencia de éstos en toda circunstancia. Para que esta aplicación sea posible, los operadores jurídicos deben conocer y emplear los diferentes principios de interpretación de los derechos humanos sin autolimitarse a los métodos tradicionales, pues los derechos fundamentales requieren de una serie de pautas hermenéuticas distintas a las que se pueden aplicar al resto de las normas jurídicas. En este sentido, los aportes que proporciona la aplicación del principio pro persona a la interpretación y aplicación del derecho teniendo como objetivo la mayor y mejor protección de las personas, es interesante y útil, ya que no atenta ni vulnera el sistema constitucional ni en general el orden jurídico y sí, en cambio, asegura que los derechos de la persona sean mejor protegidos y garantizados.