ethicalabs/Research-Intent-Collab huggingface dataset:
Judicial Dialogue about Judicial Independence in terms of Rule of Law Backsliding

The latest CEU DI Working Paper by our Post-doctoral Fellow Barbara Grabowska-Moroz discusses the recent ruling of the Court of Justice of the EU in the Getin Noble Bank case (C-132/20) in which the Court decided to discuss judicial independence with the Polish "judge" appointed by the captured council for the judiciary.Both aspects of the Getin Noble Bank case – its admissibility and the substance of the questions referred – have a common denominator: judicial independence. The Court decided to enter into such a dialogue, which was a legal and strategic mistake. The main consequence of Getin Noble Bank is that Article 47 of the Charter does not need to be taken into consideration for the purpose of interpreting the admissibility criteria under Article 267 TFEU.The Getin Noble Bank case also raises the question of whether the Court of Justice is willing to apply the case-law of the European Court of Human Rights in cases concerning the consequences of the rule of law backsliding diagnosed in numerous EU Member States.
Structural and Political Barriers to Effective Enforcement at the African Court on Human and Peoples’ Rights

The African Court on Human and Peoples’ Rights (AfCHPR) was established in 2004 and commenced operations in 2006 with a mandate to interpret and apply the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights and other relevant human rights instruments. Nearly two decades later, persistent non-compliance with its judgments, the limited number of states granting direct individual access, and structural weaknesses in enforcement mechanisms continue to undermine its effectiveness. This article interrogates these challenges from the perspective of defence counsel practising before the Court, situating the analysis within the institutionalist theory of international law, which posits that strong, rule-bound institutions are necessary to ensure compliance. Drawing on case law—including Ogiek v. Kenya, Ally Rajabu v. Tanzania, and Konaté v. Burkina Faso—and recent implementation data, the article argues that the Court’s legitimacy and impact are contingent on both political will and institutional reform. It proposes a set of concrete reforms to enhance compliance, improve access, and strengthen the Court’s role in advancing human rights protection in Africa.
Comprehensive Investigation of Algorithmic Models and Prospects in Artificial Intelligence Generated Content

Artificial Intelligence Generated Content (AIGC) has quickly evolved into a critical paradigm for automated content creation, supplementing traditional professionally and user-generated content. Empowered by deep learning, AIGC enables the generation of excellent text, pictures, audio, and video across diverse domains. This paper provides an exhaustive investigation of the core algorithmic models that underpin AIGC technologies, including Generative opposite Networks, Variational Automatic Encoders, Diffusion Models, and Large Language Models. This paper analyzes their principles, technical advancements, and representative applications in visual, textual, and speech generation. Furthermore, the current limitations related to controllability, computational overhead, domain generalization, and ethical considerations were discussed. Looking forward, this paper highlights emerging trends and research directions aimed at improving interpretability, efficiency, and trustworthiness in AIGC systems. By combining technical insight with application-oriented discussion, this paper aims to provide a comprehensive foundation for future research and guide the safe, effective and large-scale deployment of generative artificial intelligence across industries.
From Claude Shannon’s Information Entropy to Spike-Time Data Compression Theory

This chapter of the book proposes a new information theory for temporal data compression through spike-time encoding for the purpose of reducing the amount of raw data from time series but preserving the information in terms of accuracy of pattern recognition and pattern classification. Most of the data in information sciences are temporal or spatio/spectro temporal, such as brain data, audio and video data, environmental and ecological data, financial and social data, etc. as discussed in the other chapters of the book and the proposed data compression method is applicable to all of them.
Low-Parameter Small Convolutional Neural Network Applied to Functional Medical Imaging of Tc-99m Trodat-1 Brain Single-Photon Emission Computed Tomography for Parkinson’s Disease

Parkinson’s disease (PD), a progressive disease that affects movement, is related to dopaminergic neuron degeneration. Tc-99m Trodat-1 brain (TRODAT) single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) aids the functional imaging of dopamine transporters and is used for dopaminergic neuron enumeration. Herein, we employed a convolutional neural network to facilitate PD diagnosis through TRODAT SPECT, which is simpler than models such as VGG16 and ResNet50. We retrospectively collected the data of 3188 patients (age range 20–107 years) who underwent TRODAT SPECT between June 2011 and December 2019. We developed a set of functional imaging multiclassification deep learning algorithms suitable for TRODAT SPECT on the basis of the annotations of medical experts. We then applied our self-proposed model and compared its results with those of four other models, including deep and machine learning models. TRODAT SPECT included three images collected from each patient: one presenting the maximum absorption of the metabolic function of the striatum and two adjacent images. An expert physician determined that our model’s accuracy, precision, recall, and F1-score were 0.98, 0.98, 0.98, and 0.98, respectively. Our TRODAT SPECT model provides an objective, more standardized classification correlating to the severity of PD-related diseases, thereby facilitating clinical diagnosis and preventing observer bias.
Robust Graph Filter Identification and Graph Denoising from Signal Observations

When facing graph signal processing tasks, the workhorse assumption is that the graph describing the support of the signals is known. However, in many relevant applications the available graph suffers from observation errors and perturbations. As a result, any method relying on the graph topology may yield suboptimal results if those imperfections are ignored. Motivated by this, we propose a novel approach for handling perturbations on the links of the graph and apply it to the problem of robust graph filter (GF) identification from input-output observations. Different from existing works, we formulate a non-convex optimization problem that operates in the vertex domain and jointly performs GF identification and graph denoising. As a result, on top of learning the desired GF, an estimate of the graph is obtained as a byproduct. To handle the resulting bi-convex problem, we design an algorithm that blends techniques from alternating optimization and majorization minimization, showing its convergence to a stationary point. The second part of the paper i) generalizes the design to a robust setup where several GFs are jointly estimated, and ii) introduces an alternative algorithmic implementation that reduces the computational complexity. Finally, the detrimental influence of the perturbations and the benefits resulting from the robust approach are numerically analyzed over synthetic and real-world datasets, comparing them with other state-of-the-art alternatives.
The Reparations Provisions for Victims Under the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court

Abstract                   One of the great innovations of the International Criminal Court (“ICC” or the “Court”) is the role extended to victims. A concerted effort to establish effective international law mechanisms for the protection of the rights of victims was made during the drafting of the Statute of the International Criminal Court (the “Rome Statute” or the “Statute”), the Rules of Procedure and Evidence (the “Rules”), and the Regulations of the Court (the “Regulations”).                   Under these instruments, victims will enjoy rights that have never before been incorporated into the mandate of an international criminal tribunal.
Comprehensive Molecular Docking on the AlphaFold-Predicted Protein Structure Proteome: Identifying Target Protein Candidates for Puberulic Acid, a Suspected Lethal Nephrotoxin

Abstract                                    This study presents a novel                   in silico                   screening method for identifying potential protein-ligand interactions within the complete structural proteome, as predicted by AlphaFold2, using puberulic acid as a test case. The methodology utilizes molecular docking simulations to predict interactions based on structural compatibility and binding affinity estimations. This approach highlights proteins, such as sodium/myo-inositol cotransporters, which exhibit theoretical high affinity for puberulic acid, suggesting possible competitive inhibition or mimetic interactions that could disrupt osmoregulation. It is important to clarify that these simulations provide a hypothetical framework for understanding potential interactions. The high docking scores do not directly translate to biological effects but serve as a basis for further experimental validation. This cautious interpretation acknowledges the inherent limitations of predictive modeling while maintaining confidence in the robustness of the computational process. Moreover, the exploratory nature of this study is supported by the fact that binding affinity predictions are not influenced by protein amino acid length or the predictive accuracy (pLDDT scores) provided by AlphaFold2. This independence from structural prediction metrics suggests that the docking results offer a reliable exploration of potential interactions across a wide array of proteins, making this approach a valuable asset in the fields of drug discovery and toxicological research. The ability to comprehensively identify candidate proteins with potential affinity to chemical compounds enhances the predictive capacity of toxicological assessments and supports the strategic development of safer pharmaceutical agents.
Ecosystem Implications of Microbial-Based Biological Control in Integrated Pest and Disease Management: A Systematic Review

Objective To systematically evaluate the diversity, suppressive mechanisms, and effectiveness of microbial-based biological control agents (BCAs) in agroecosystems, while specifically analyzing their ecological implications on soil biodiversity and community stability between 2020 and 2026. Methods A systematic literature review was performed following PRISMA 2020 guidelines. Comprehensive searches were conducted in Scopus, Google Scholar, and ScienceDirect using specific keywords related to microbial biocontrol and ecosystem services. From an initial 614 records, 15 high-quality studies meeting strict inclusion criteria (peer-reviewed, focus on microbial agents, published 2020–2026) were selected for qualitative synthesis. Results The synthesis identified a diverse range of BCAs, predominantly                     Bacillus                     ,                     Trichoderma                     ,                     Pseudomonas                     , and various endophytes. These agents suppress pathogens through multifaceted mechanisms: antibiosis, competition for niches, parasitism, and induction of systemic resistance. Results indicate that microbial inoculants not only reduce disease severity but also actively modulate the rhizosphere and phyllosphere microbiota. Key findings highlight that microbial BCAs enhance soil microbial activity and stabilize community structures, offering a regenerative alternative to chemical pesticides. However, effectiveness varies across different cropping systems and climatic conditions. Conclusion Microbial biocontrol is a robust and ecologically sound strategy within Integrated Pest Management (IPM). While it demonstrates significant potential in enhancing agricultural sustainability and soil health, there is a critical need for standardized field evaluation protocols and long-term longitudinal studies to fully understand the transgenerational effects of microbial application on ecosystem resilience.
The natural death of the Supreme Judicial Commission of Bangladesh and the consequent patronage appointments to the Bench: Advocating the establishment of an Independent Judicial Commission

In order to strengthen the constitutional process of appointment of judges in Superior Courts, Bangladesh established a Supreme Judicial Commission in 2008 by promulgating an Ordinance. This Ordinance was neither promulgated in pursuance of any provisions of the Constitution nor by introducing any amendment to the provisions of the Constitution. The recommendations of the Commission were not given binding force on the executive. The power of the executive to accept or reject the candidates recommended by the Supreme Judicial Commission at his pleasure defeated the very objective of establishing the Commission for appointing the most competent and suitable persons as judges of the superior courts in Bangladesh. However, following the general elections held on 29 December 2008, the newly elected Government of Bangladesh Awami League dispensed with the Supreme Judicial Commission by not placing the Supreme Judicial Commission Ordinance before the parliament for its approval. This resulted in restoring the previous system of appointing judges on the satisfaction of the executive, which has resulted in patronage appointments. Thus, the establishment of an independent judicial commission in Bangladesh is an imperative necessity for strengthening the independence and impartiality of the judiciary.
Hotel Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) reporting

The corporate social responsibility report has become a very important tool, which can help companies to set up strategies and build their core competencies. With rising consumer awareness regarding corporate responsibility (CR), it is important for the hotel industry to begin profiling their efforts at social responsibility (SR) as part of their overall corporate and business strategies. This paper provides a literature review of corporate social responsibility concept and emphasizes the importance and benefits of implementing it into a practice and publishing it online. Based on the content analysis of websites and reports published online by five star hotels in Dubrovnik during a summer time 2015, this paper identifies the communication methods used by hotel companies as well as the scope of reported information. The findings reveal that only big international hotel chains provide report with details of specific initiatives undertaken to contribute to CSR goals while small independent hotels only mention social responsibility in their vision or mission statements or some of them not even that. Currently, the five stars hotels in Dubrovnik do not effectively use online reporting and for such reason this paper provides some practical implications about reporting of socially responsible activities for hospitality organisations. For more in depth research and data, the interviews with hotel management and survey with hotel employees should be collected in the future.
Cosmic ray modulation during solar cycle 22: Solar maximum loops at earth and global transients in the heliosphere

Neutron monitor data from two pairs of cosmic ray stations, Kiel/Tsumeb and Climax/Huancayo, are used to study the rigidity dependence of solar modulation during the solar activity cycle 22. The long‐term decrease of cosmic ray intensity during the ascending phase of cycle 22 is characterized by the same rigidity dependence as for the long‐term recovery during the descending phase of cycle 21. This is equivalent to a lack of any significant spectral hysteresis in cosmic ray modulation for both half cycles surrounding the 1987 cosmic ray maximum. The above is true at least for 27‐day averages of cosmic ray intensity and at neutron monitor rigidities. In December 1988 the first large Forbush decrease of cycle 22 marked the beginning of increased solar activity which resulted in several prominent interplanetary shocks in 1989‐1991. These strong heliospheric disturbances produced global merged interaction regions (GMIRs) which were responsible for large step decreases in cosmic ray intensity seen at all spacecraft throughout the heliosphere, including Voyager 2, Pioneer 10 and 11, as well as Voyager 1. It was found that in the neutron monitor rigidity range, such decreases were followed by rigidity‐dependent recoveries. The rigidity‐dependent recovery manifests itself by formation of hysteresis loops on correlation plots for low‐ versus high‐rigidity cosmic ray intensity changes. The loops, if completed, close approximately at the modulation level from which the corresponding step decrease started. On the other hand, the current long‐term cosmic ray recovery (starting from Bartels solar rotation 2162) follows the "normal" rigidity dependence characteristic of both the A&gt;0 recoveries and A&lt;0 decreases/recoveries (where A&lt;0 and A&gt;0 are two different phases of the solar magnetic cycle). All this together confirms the bimodal character of cosmic ray modulation for 1985‐1992, the same as found previously for cycles 19‐21; the transient modulation (T ≅ 0.5 to ∼1 year) related to GMIRs is accompanied on recovery by the phenomenon of hysteresis, while the long‐term modulation (T&gt;1 year) is hysteresis free. The two explanations of the phenomenon of spectral hysteresis proposed in the literature, i.e., a time‐dependent modulation via convection, diffusion, and drift effects and an acceleration of a normal cosmic ray spectrum in multiple shocks in the outer heliosphere (as proposed by Stoker and Moraal (1986)), are discussed in the context of the presented cosmic ray data.
EU’s Actorness in the South Caucasus: Uneasy Alliance of NormativeE Power with Conflict Resolution and Peace-Building

The success of the EU in the South Caucasus region is limited due to the lack of insufficient commitment, inefficient tools, lack of comprehensive policy design taking into account the needs and priorities of the regional actors. The EU seems to restore its image and increase its visibility in the region after the II. Karabakh War in 2020. Post-war geopolitical context necessitates a durable security-building as a result of a peace agreement between Azerbaijan and Armenia. The EU’s efforts show that it is in the process of re-defining a pro-active role in shaping the meditation and peace-making processes. The outcome will not only determine the nature of the EU’s involvement into the region but also the efficiency of its normative power in the future.
Emergence of an Action Repository as Part of a Biologically Inspired Model of Speech Processing: The Role of Somatosensory Information in Learning Phonetic-Phonological Sound Features

Frontiers in psychology 10, 1462 (2019). doi:10.3389/fpsyg.2019.01462
Preparation, structure and electrochemistry of LiFeBO<sub>3</sub>: a cathode material for Li-ion batteries

The preparation of high-purity LiFeBO3 has been reported, which ensures an accurate crystal structure determination through synchrotron XRD, neutron powder diffraction, single crystal XRD combined with 6Li NMR and 57Fe Mössbauer spectroscopies.
Neural network-based prediction and optimization of optical properties of two-dimensional GaAs dielectric background photonic crystal point-defect microcavities

The aim of this study is to develop a neural network model of point-defect microcavities in two-dimensional GaAs dielectric background photonic crystals in order to accurately predict and optimize their optical properties. Point-defect microcavities are localized structures in photonic crystals with the ability to modulate optical modes and enhance light-matter interactions. However, existing methods are unable to fully capture their complexity and multiparametric properties. Therefore, present study propose to utilize a neural network model to quickly and accurately predict the optical properties of point-defect microcavities. With this model, present study can effectively address the challenges faced by conventional methods in design and optimization. The results of this study will promote the development of photonic devices and photonic integration technologies, and facilitate the application of photonics in the fields of information technology, communication, energy and biomedicine.
Statistical mechanics of topological phase transitions in networks

12 pages, 12 figures, minor changes, added a new refernce, to appear in PRE
The History of Animal Welfare Law and the Future of Animal Rights

Animals were included within the protection of the law in the early nineteenth century. Why have there been so few advances since then? Discussion about this question tends to focus on the moral and legal status of animals. That is undoubtedly an important issue, but it stems from a tradition that looks for the singular trait that distinguishes humans from all other animals. This thesis uses an historical approach to explore the tension between the humane impulse to alleviate animal suffering and the sense of human superiority that permits animal exploitation. The conclusion is that animal rights theory could build on the precedent set by the anti-cruelty laws if legal rights for animals are used as a shield to protect animals from the excesses of property rights rather than as a way to elevate animals out of their status as property.
Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights : - A catalysis to combat Gender-based violence in South Africa?

The multiple components of Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR), promotes women’s wellbeing and rights to a life free from discrimination and violence. Gender-based violence (GBV) is a matter closely related to SRHR and affects women globally on daily basis. South Africa is estimated to score one of the highest rates of GBV in the world. This thesis aims to gain an understanding of how civil society organisations (CSOs) working with SRHR-related issues, approach South African state institutions with regard to strengthen strategies against GBV. A qualitative content analysis is adopted to analyse the CSO’s documents that frame their advocacy work against GBV and how they approach state institutions in South Africa. The results from the analysed documents are thereby examined through theoretical approaches, mainly targeting CSOs ability to translate universal human rights into local contexts, and contributions to social justice. The analysed documents reveal that the selected CSOs mobilise their advocacy against GBV through different media platforms. Moreover, the CSO’s advocacy is presented through evidence-based research, policy briefs, articles and campaigns. Through their approaches to state institutions, the CSOs demand the state to recognise that inequality and patriarchal structures cause GBV and negatively affect women’s wellbeing. Furthermore, the selected CSOs demand fair distribution of resources that ensures women’s safety in the public sphere. In addition, the CSOs demand implementation of educational programmes with gender perspectives in all aspects of society. Finally, the CSOs demand South African state institutions to include all sectors of society in decision-making processes of strategies against GBV. Thus, state institutions can unsure proper implementation of preventative methods against GBV.