HUMAN RIGHTS IN TIMES OF ARMED CONFLICTS

The present contribution deals with the issue of human rights in armed conflicts versus the concept of war. This distinction was made in Article 2, and the same in all four Geneva Convention of 1949. In this article, the distinction is made between the universal system of human rights and the International Humanitarian Law of Armed Conflicts (IHLAC). The difference of application between these two sets of law relies on the fact, that the universal agreements of human rights always apply, both in armed conflict and peace when the IHLAC applies only in times of armed conflicts. There is a difference between them in the regulation. Human rights regulate the relationship between the state and persons under its jurisdiction, regardless of their nationality and the IHLAC applies to states and individuals or armed groups distinguishing between a civilian or a veteran. About the compliance control, it is a different system too, for the IHLAC, it is the ICRC and criminal tribunals, and for human rights, there are different committees of tribunals like the International Court of Justice (ICJ). The exam of the jurisprudence of the ECtHR shows, that it does not make a distinction between a state of war and peace, which is called the humanization of the law of armed conflicts. Also, the very important question of the fragmentation of international law is examined, based on the jurisprudence of the ICJ.

Sound Source Separation Mechanisms of Different Deep Networks Explained from the Perspective of Auditory Perception

Thanks to the development of deep learning, various sound source separation networks have been proposed and made significant progress. However, the study on the underlying separation mechanisms is still in its infancy. In this study, deep networks are explained from the perspective of auditory perception mechanisms. For separating two arbitrary sound sources from monaural recordings, three different networks with different parameters are trained and achieve excellent performances. The networks’ output can obtain an average scale-invariant signal-to-distortion ratio improvement (SI-SDRi) higher than 10 dB, comparable with the human performance to separate natural sources. More importantly, the most intuitive principle—proximity—is explored through simultaneous and sequential organization experiments. Results show that regardless of network structures and parameters, the proximity principle is learned spontaneously by all networks. If components are proximate in frequency or time, they are not easily separated by networks. Moreover, the frequency resolution at low frequencies is better than at high frequencies. These behavior characteristics of all three networks are highly consistent with those of the human auditory system, which implies that the learned proximity principle is not accidental, but the optimal strategy selected by networks and humans when facing the same task. The emergence of the auditory-like separation mechanisms provides the possibility to develop a universal system that can be adapted to all sources and scenes.

Bioinspired Granular Media Friction Pad: A Universal System for Friction Enhancement on Variety of Substrates

The granular media friction pad (GMFP) inspired by the biological smooth attachment pads of cockroaches and grasshoppers employs passive jamming, to create high friction forces on a large variety of substrates. The granular medium inside the pad is encased by a flexible membrane which at contact formation greatly adapts to the substrate profile. Upon applying load, the granular medium undergoes the jamming transition and changes from fluid-like to solid-like properties. The jammed granular medium, in combination with the deformation of the encasing elastic membrane, results in high friction forces on a multitude of substrate topographies. Here we explore the effect of elasticity variation on the generation of friction by varying granular media filling quantity as well as membrane modulus and thickness. We systematically investigate contact area and robustness against substrate contamination, and we also determine friction coefficients for various loading forces and substrates. Depending on the substrate topography and loading forces, a low filling quantity and a thin, elastic membrane can be favorable, in order to generate the highest friction forces.

Cytology Reporting System for Lung Cancer from the Japan Lung Cancer Society and the Japanese Society of Clinical Cytology: An Extensive Study Containing More Benign Lesions

<b><i>Introduction:</i></b> The Japan Lung Cancer Society (JLCS) and the Japanese Society of Clinical Cytology (JSCC) have proposed a new four-tiered cytology reporting system for lung carcinoma (JLCS-JSCC system). Prior to the proposal, the Papanicolaou Society of Cytopathology (PSC) had proposed a revised reporting system (PSC system), which comprises the “neoplastic, benign neoplasm, and low-grade carcinoma” category (N-B-LG category), in addition to the 4 categories of the JLCS-JSCC system. This study aimed to evaluate the interobserver agreement of the JLCS-JSCC system with an additional dataset with more benign lesions in comparison with the PSC system. <b><i>Methods:</i></b> We analyzed 167 cytological samples, which included 17 benign lesions, obtained from the respiratory system. Seven observers classified these cases into each category by reviewing one Papanicolaou-stained slide per case according to the JLCS-JSCC system and PSC system. <b><i>Results:</i></b> The interobserver agreement was moderate in the JLCS-JSCC (<i>k</i> = 0.499) and PSC (<i>k</i> = 0.485) systems. Of the 167 samples, 17 samples were benign lesions: 7 pulmonary hamartomas, 5 sclerosing pneumocytomas, 2 squamous papillomas, one solitary fibrous tumor, one meningioma, and one lymphocytic proliferation. There were diverse sample types as follows: 11 touch smears, 3 brushing smears, 2 aspirations, and one sputum sample. Fourteen samples (82.3%) were categorized into “negative” or “atypical” by more than half of the observers in the JLCS-JSCC system. Conversely, 3 samples were categorized as “suspicious” or “malignant” by more than half of the observers in the JLCS-JSCC system. On the other hand, 11 samples (64.7%) were categorized into the N-B-LG category by more than half of the observers in the PSC system. <b><i>Conclusions:</i></b> The concordance rate in the JLCS-JSCC system was slightly higher than that in the PSC system; however, the interobserver agreement was moderate in both the JLCS-JSCC and PSC systems. These results indicate that both the JLCS-JSCC and PSC systems are clinically useful. Therefore, both systems are expected to have clinical applications. It may be important to integrate the 2 systems and construct a universal system that can be used more widely in clinical practice.

A universal severity classification for natural disasters

The magnitude of a disaster’s severity cannot be easily assessed because there is no global method that provides real magnitudes of natural disaster severity levels. Therefore, a new universal severity classification scheme for natural disasters is developed and is supported by data. This universal system looks at the severity of disasters based on the most influential impact factor and gives a rating from zero to ten: Zero indicates no impact and ten is a worldwide devastation. This universal system is for all types of natural disasters, from lightning strikes to super-volcanic eruptions and everything in between, that occur anywhere in the world at any time. This novel universal severity classification system measures, describes, compares, rates, ranks, and categorizes impacts of disasters quantitatively and qualitatively. The severity index is useful to diverse stakeholder groups, including policy makers, governments, responders, and civilians, by providing clear definitions that help convey the severity levels or severity potential of a disaster. Therefore, this universal system is expected to avoid inconsistencies and to connect severity metrics to generate a clear perception of the degree of an emergency; the system is also expected to improve mutual communication among stakeholder groups. Consequently, the proposed universal system will generate a common communication platform and improve understanding of disaster risk, which aligns with the priority of the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction 2015–2030. This research was completed prior to COVID-19, but the pandemic is briefly addressed in the discussion section.

CHARACTERISTIC OF THE CONSTITUTION OF THE REPUBLIC OF UZBEKISTAN, COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS

The world community will turn into a common international system. States, which are a separate independent part of this universal system, develop in all spheres in interaction, interdependence and interdependence. Each individual state can benefit from the best practices of another state in the field of political, legal, legislative and state building.Naturally, the study of the experience of foreign parliamentarism is of great importance for Uzbekistan, which democratically restructures its political and legal system and moves towards the formation of a bicameral legislature through parliamentary reforms. Over the past two hundred years of the historical development of parliamentarism, an incredibly rich and meaningful experience has been accumulated. No matter how diverse the diversity in this regard, comparing the activities of existing parliaments on the planet, it will be possible to identify all important aspects, common features and features of this state-legal phenomenon. The essence, traditions and general laws of parliamentarism can be understood by comparing the legislative practice that has developed in advanced countries with the procedures formed in them. At the same time, it should be noted that a number of rare works have been published based on a comparison of the experience of different parliaments

Combining Blockchains, Smart Contracts, and Complex Sensors Management Platform for Hyper-Connected SmartCities: An IoT Data Marketplace Use Case

In this paper, we demonstrate the multiple points of innovation when combining blockchain technology with Internet of Things (IoT) and security frameworks. The deployment and use of IoT device networks in smart city environments has produced an enormous amount of data. The fact that those data are possessed by multiple sources that use independent systems for data collection, storage, and use impedes the exploitation of their value. Blockchains, as distributed ledgers, can be used for addressing the development of a universal system for data collection and distribution. Smart contracts can be used to automate all the processes of such a network, while at the same time, blockchain and the InterPlanetary File System (IPFS) protect sensitive data through anonymity and distributed storage. An innovative and open IoT blockchain market of applications, data, and services is proposed that: (i) provides the framework upon which objects and people can exchange value in form of virtual currencies, for assets (data and services) received; (ii) defines the motivation incentives according to social and business context for humans and smart objects to interact. The specific marketplace is piloted through a cross-border trial between Santander and Fujisawa, in the context of the M-Sec project, validating thus the interoperability, efficiency, and data protection principles.

EVALUATION OF LOGISTIC FLOWS IN GREEN SUPPLY CHAINS BASED ON THE COMBINED DEMATEL-ANP METHOD

Supply chains and transport corridors have a significant impact on the socio-economic and environmental situation in the regions where the elements of the logistics infrastructure are located. The achievement of the goals of the concept of sustainable development in these regions is ensured, among other things, as a result of the formation of green supply chain management (GSCM), that is, as a result of changes in existing approaches to supply chain management. Analysis of the practice of supply chain management showed a wide variety of parameters and indicators of logistics flows used in decision-making at different stages of managing these flows. The authors propose a universal system of the logistic flows parameters and indicators for the GSCM, corresponding to the principles of the concept of sustainable development. A methodology for ranking indicators of logistics flows based on a combined DEMATEL-ANP method has been developed. The results of a case study on the evaluation of logistics flows for the GSCM are presented. The ranks of logistics flow indicators obtained in the study are proposed to be used in GSCM to adjust of the logistics flows actual parameters to achieve the goals of the concept of sustainable development.

What Is Out There and What Can We Learn? International Evidence on Funding and Delivery of Long-Term Care

This article describes the social care funding and delivery arrangements of a varied selection of developed countries, focusing on long-term care of older people. International evidence and latest reforms can inform the debate as countries struggle economically. Some have opted for mandatory social insurance that provides universal coverage. A premium is paid and if the insured individual or relatives require support, they are entitled to it. Others opted for a similar universal system but with earmarked taxation, while others fund their social care entirely from general taxation. Many chose a safety-net system in which benefits are means-tested leaving wealthier individuals to secure private arrangements of care. Within the UK, the level of support varies as Scotland provides personal care free of charge, being more generous than England, Wales and Northern Ireland. There is no “one solution”, but understanding different options can help in the discussion of current and future reforms.