Automatic annotation of protected attributes to support fairness optimization

Recent research has shown that the unaware automation of high-risk decision-making tasks can result in unfair decisions being made. The most common approaches to address this problem adopt definitions of fairness based on protected attributes. Precise annotation of protected attributes enables the application of bias mitigation techniques to commonly unlabeled kinds of data (e.g., images, text, etc.). This paper proposes a framework to automatically annotate protected attributes in data collections. The framework focuses on providing a single interface to annotate protected attributes of different types (e.g., gender, race, etc.) and from different kinds of data. Internally, the framework coordinates multiple sensors to produce the final annotation. Several sensors for textual data are proposed. An optimization search technique is designed to tune the framework to specific domains. Additionally, a small dataset of movie reviews —annotated with gender and sentiment— was created. The evaluation in datasets of texts from diverse domains shows the quality of the annotations and their effectiveness to be used as a proxy to estimate fairness in datasets and machine learning models. The source code is available online for the research community.This research has been partially funded by the University of Alicante and the University of Havana, the Spanish Ministry of Science and Innovation, the Generalitat Valenciana, and the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) through the following funding: At the national level, the following projects were granted: TRIVIAL (PID2021-122263OB-C22); CORTEX (PID2021-123956OB-I00); CLEARTEXT (TED2021-130707B-I00); and SOCIALTRUST (PDC2022-133146-C22), funded by MCIN/AEI/10.13039/501100011033 and, as appropriate, by ERDF A way of making Europe, by the European Union or by the European Union NextGenerationEU/PRTR. Also, the VIVES: “Pla de Tecnologies de la Llengua per al valencià” project (2022/TL22/00215334) from the Projecte Estratègic per a la Recuperació i Transformació Econòmica (PERTE). At regional level, the Generalitat Valenciana (Conselleria d'Educacio, Investigacio, Cultura i Esport), granted funding for NL4DISMIS (CIPROM/2021/21). Moreover, it was backed by the work of two COST Actions: CA19134 - “Distributed Knowledge Graphs” and CA19142 - “Leading Platform for European Citizens, Industries, Academia, and Policymakers in Media Accessibility”

Multielemental determination in lubricating oil samples by microwave-induced plasma optical emission spectrometry after extraction induced by emulsion breaking

Extraction induced by emulsion breaking (EIEB) was studied as a strategy for the determination of Al, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mg, Mn, Mo, Ni, and Pb in used lubricating oil via microwave-induced plasma optical emission spectrometry (MIP OES). No spectral or nonspectral interferences were observed in the developed method. These were evaluated as a function of the emission intensity of natural molecular species in the N2 plasma and different atomic and ionic emission lines. The time required for extraction was evaluated, and the best sensitivity for all the elements was obtained at 40 min of contact between the sample and the extraction solution in the presence of the surfactant. Doehlert matrix response surface methodology was employed to study the effects and interactions between the nitric acid (extractor) and surfactant (emulsifier) concentrations during sample preparation. The recommended conditions for 3.0 g of sample were as follows: 5.0 mL of extraction mixture consisting of 2.8 mol/L nitric acid and 3.0 % (v v−1) of the surfactant Triton X-114. The limits of quantification obtained were 2.9 (Al), 43 (Cr), 4.0 (Cu), 17 (Fe), 4.0 (Mg), 3.7 (Mn), 7.0 (Mo), 9.2 (Ni) and 45 (Pb) µg kg−1. The method developed was applied in the analyses of lubricating oil samples. The following concentration ranges (mg kg−1) were found: 2.5–106 (Al), 2.8–24.8 (Cr), 3.5–21.4 (Cu), 16.9–199 (Fe), 33.4–64.0 (Mg), 0.57–9.7 (Mn), 4.7–43 (Mo), 1.6–11.1 (Ni) and 2.0–12.6 (Pb).This study was financed in part by the Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior - Brasil (CAPES) - Finance Code 001. The authors are also thankful to the Fundação de Amparo a Pesquisa do Estado da Bahia (FAPESB) and the Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq) for the provision of grants, fellowships, and financial support

Microplastic in clams: An extensive spatial assessment in south Brazil

Microplastic pollution is becoming a continuously growing environmental concern, while bivalve mollusks are particularly vulnerable due to their sessile habits and feeding through water filtration processes. Microplastic incidence in soft tissues of the clam Amarilladesma mactroides was assessed along unconsolidated substrates distributed in extensive coastal regions of southern Brazil. Influence of urbanization levels, distance to rivers and local hydrodynamics on microplastic accumulation by the clam was tested. The average concentration of microplastics was high (3.09 ± 2.11 particles.g−1), considering 16 sampled sites. Particles were mainly composed by polyamide, polyethylene and polyethylene terephthalate, while were mainly smaller, fibrous and colorless. High urbanization and closer proximity to rivers insured higher contamination, which is a trend observed globally. No influence of coastal hydrodynamics was seen. Considering obtained findings, A. mactroides presents good potential to be used as a valuable tool to assess microplastic contamination in unconsolidated substrates of beach areas.This research was supported by the São Paulo Research Foundation (FAPESP n. 2022/14011-3). I.B. Castro (PQ 304398/2021-7) was recipient of research productivity fellowship from the Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq). L. Jankauskas and D. Rangel were sponsored by Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES fiance code 001). V.V. Ribeiro (FAPESP n. 2022/08669-6) was sponsored by São Paulo Research Foundation

La diferencia de trato en la tributación de los dividendos y su falta de justificación para limitar el ejercicio de libertades fundamentales en el asunto Credit Suisse Securities: la STJUE de 19 de diciembre de 2024, C-601/23

Esta sentencia analiza si la normativa del territorio foral de Bizkaia contraviene la libre circulación de capitales garantizada en el art. 63 del TFUE por conferir un tratamiento diferenciado en la tributación de los dividendos percibidos por sociedades residentes y no residentes. En concreto, las sociedades residentes que registran pérdidas pueden obtener la devolución de la retención en origen de los dividendos, mientras que en el caso de las sociedades no residentes se configura como un impuesto de carácter definitivo, no pudiendo obtener esta ventaja aun cuando tuviesen pérdidas. Así, el TJUE examina si esta diferencia de trato se basa en distintas razones imperiosas de interés general, llegando a la conclusión de que la restricción a la libre circulación de capitales no está justificadaThis judgment analyses whether a tax provision of Bizkaia contravenes the free movement of capital guaranteed in Article 63 of the TFEU for granting a different treatment in the taxation of dividends received by resident and non-resident entities. Accordingly, resident entities that record losses can obtain a refund of the withholding tax on dividends, while the withholding tax in the case of non-resident entities is configured as a definitive tax, without any possibility of obtaining such advantage even if they are in an objectively comparable situation. Thus, the Court examines whether this difference in treatment is based on compelling reasons of general interest, reaching the conclusion that the restriction on the free movement of capital is not justified

Microplastics in rocky shore mollusks of different feeding habits: An assessment of sentinel performance

Microplastics (MPs) accumulation in rocky shore organisms has limited knowledge. This study investigated MPs accumulation in filter-feeding oysters, herbivorous limpets and carnivorous snails to assess their performance as sentinel species in the MPs trophic transfer. The samples were obtained along a contamination gradient in the Santos Estuarine System, Brazil. All three studied species showed MPs concentrations related to the contamination gradient, being the oysters the species that showed the highest levels, followed by limpets and snails (average of less and most contaminated sites of 1.06–8.90, 2.28–5.69 and 0.44–2.10 MP g−1, respectively), suggesting that MPs ingestion rates are linked to feeding habits. MPs were mainly polystyrene and polyacetal. The polymer types did not vary among sites nor species. Despite minor differences in percentages and diversity of size, shape, and color classes, the analyzed species were equally able to demonstrate dominance of small, fiber, transparent, black and blue MPs. Thus, oysters, limpets, and snails are proposed as sentinels of MPs in monitoring assessments.This research was supported by the São Paulo Research Foundation (FAPESP n. 2022/14011-3). I.B. Castro (PQ 304398/2021-7) was recipient of research productivity fellowship from the Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq). V.V. Ribeiro (FAPESP n. 2022/08669-6) and T.M.A. Soares (FAPESP n. 2023/05277-2) were sponsored by São Paulo Research Foundation

El concepto de derecho subjetivo. Las diversas caras de un concepto poliédrico

El propósito de este trabajo es confrontar la concepción de los derechos subjetivos sostenida por Kelsen en su Teoría general de las normas con los enfoques defendidos por Hohfeld, Hart, y Dworkin. En mi opinión, el contraste entre la concepción de los derechos de Kelsen y las propuestas de estos otros tres autores puede ayudarnos a comprender mejor por qué la asunción de ciertos presupuestos teóricos relativos a la naturaleza del Derecho (objetivo) lleva a Kelsen a la adopción de una determinada estrategia al clarificar el concepto de derecho subjetivo. Además, este contraste entre concepciones de los derechos subjetivos me ayudará a defender la tesis de que derecho subjetivo es un concepto poliédrico, así como a aventurar una propuesta relativa a las caras principales que debe integrar su análisis.The purpose of this paper is to confront the conception of rights defended by Kelsen in his General Theory of Norms with the approaches defended by Hohfeld, Hart, and Dworkin. In my opinion, the contrast between Kelsen’s conception about rights and the proposals of these other three authors can help us to better understand why the assumption of certain theoretical presumptions regarding the nature of law commits Kelsen to the adoption of a certain strategy on clarifying the concept of rights. Also, this contrast between conceptions of rights will allow me to defend the idea that a right is a polyhedral concept, as well as to put forward a proposal on the main planes that should integrate its analysis

Evaluating nickel removal efficacy of Filtralite under laboratory conditions: Implications for sustainable urban drainage systems

Our study deals with the critical issue of heavy metal pollution in urban runoff; we focused particularly on the threat posed by heavy metals such as nickel to living organisms and water resources owing to their toxicity at low concentrations and non-biodegradability. In this study, we evaluated the efficacy of Filtralite, a filtration medium with excellent hydraulic properties, in removing nickel from water through laboratory experiments and advanced simulation tools. We analysed the geochemical processes involved in nickel removal, including precipitation and adsorption. Importantly, we implemented an innovative approach for numerical modelling using HP1, by combining HYDRUS-1D and PHREEQC for modelling solute transport in porous media and geochemical reactions, respectively. The experimental results revealed that the Filtralite-laden column achieved a removal efficiency of 93.5 % for injected nickel. We observed a significant increase in the effluent pH from 7.0 to 11.5 during the interaction with Filtralite, affecting the solubility of the nickel phases. The model showed the highest nickel concentration in the initial column layers because of rapid chemical precipitation and adsorption upon contact with Filtralite. High-resolution scanning electron microscopy images confirmed the presence of amorphous precipitates around the soil particles, aligning with the changes in pH. This study contributes significantly to environmental engineering and urban water management by introducing an innovative numerical model in HP1 to accurately simulate the removal of nickel using Filtralite. These findings validate the efficiency of Filtralite in extracting nickel from aqueous solutions. Thus, Filtralite is a strong candidate for inclusion in sustainable urban drainage systems.This work was supported by University of Alicante (project GRE17-12), and Generalitat Valenciana (project GV/2020/059). A pre-doctoral research fellowship (CIACIF/2021/469) was awarded to M.M. by the Conselleria de Innovación, Universidades, Ciencia y Sociedad Digital

La no limitación del derecho a la deducción del IVA en aras a garantizar el principio de neutralidad: la STJUE de 4 de octubre de 2024, C-475/23

Esta sentencia profundiza en la interpretación del art. 168.a) de la Directiva IVA de forma que el derecho a la deducción no se vea denegado por el incumplimiento de ciertos requisitos formales ni cuando exista una relación directa e inmediata entre una operación por la que se soporta IVA y otra operación por la que se repercute IVA. Con este pronunciamiento, el TJUE refuerza el principio de neutralidad en el IVA.This judgment elaborates on the interpretation given by the Court of Justice of the European Union to Article 168.a) of the VAT Directive. Accordingly, the right to deduct cannot be denied when some formal requirements are not met nor when there is a direct and immediate relationship between an operation for which VAT is input and another operation for which VAT is charged. With this judgment, the CJEU reinforces the principle of neutrality in VAT

Nuevos datos para completar los fasti consulares del 43 d.C. con los tituli picti de las ánforas de vino de Saguntum (España)

The knowledge of the fasti consulares of the Julio-Claudian dynasty is quite complete, despite some gaps, such as the consular list of 43 AD. This article presents an epigraphic analysis of the tituli picti on Dressel 2 amphorae from the Mariposa E wreck in Alghero, which would have come from the area around Saguntum (Spain). The tituli picti on wine amphorae used to show consular dates to promote the year in which an excellent grape harvest took place. Thanks to this, the reading of the tituli picti from this wreck has provided new data to complete the year 43, suggesting Sextus Palpellius Hister as the possible remaining consul ignotus.El conocimiento de los fasti consulares julio-claudios está bastante completo, a pesar de algunos vacíos, como el de la lista consular del 43 d. C. En este estudio, analizamos los tituli picti en ánforas Dressel 2 del pecio Mariposa E en Alghero y que procederían del entorno del entorno de Saguntum (España). Los tituli picti sobre ánforas vinarias solían mostrar fechas consulares para promocionar el año en el que se produjo una vendimia excelente. Gracias a ello, la lectura de los tituli picti de este pecio ha aportado nuevos datos para completar el año 43, sugiriendo a Sextus Palpellius Hister como el posible cónsul que restaba ignotus.Research developed within the framework of the projects CIAICO/2022/049 and PID2022-138200NB-I00

Social learning to promote forest restoration in a semi-arid landscape in North Africa

Forest restoration is a suitable tool to mitigate land degradation and enhance the supply of vital goods and services. Social participation in forest restoration has gained increasing interest. Yet, the impact of participation on people's perception of ecological restoration and the restoration process has barely been addressed despite its relevance for the long-term success of restoration actions. We assessed mutual learning of different stakeholder groups in a ten-year demonstration project, and its potential to foster continued participatory forest restoration in Beni Boufrah valley, a semiarid area located in North Morocco. We performed face-to-face interviews to assess post-restoration individual learning for a subset of 15 highly engaged stakeholders using five components of social learning: reciprocal determinism, self-reflective capability, expectations, self-regulation and locus of control. Furthermore, we organized a workshop to assess collective learning in the study area. The lessons learnt by the project team was described using monitoring vegetation measurements, field visits and meetings, and stakeholder recommendations. Two thirds of the stakeholders showed an increasing awareness of the reciprocal relationship between people and the environment, while recognizing the inappropriateness of current behaviors and practices. Farmers showed continuous mistrust towards the Forestry Agency which justifies the need for more innovative approaches to resolve persistent conflicts, integrate forest and agricultural interventions and establish new mechanisms for economic motivation. Stakeholders acquired theoretical and practical concepts on forest restoration, but self-initiated activities were scarce and reinforcement of environmental awareness is still needed. There was a high impact of drought on seedling survival and growth along with a decrease in stakeholder engagement over the years. We could identify and implement a series of practical corrective measures, namely participatory re-planting, plot fencing, establishment of a local monitoring committee, and raising awareness activities. Such participatory implementation of corrective measures may enhance the credibility of the restoration process and it can be further tested in similar semiarid areas of North Africa even at a larger scale.This study was carried out within the framework of the project SREPA funded by the University of Alicante (Proyectos de Cooperación Universitaria para el Desarrollo), “La Caixa” Foundation, the Society for Biological and Ibero-African Studies (SEBI) in Murcia-Spain, and Conselleria d’Innovació, Universitats, Ciència i Societat Digital, Generalitat Valenciana (Project R2D, CIPROM/2021/001)