Controlling for Unobserved Confounds in Classification Using Correlational Constraints

As statistical classifiers become integrated into real-world applications, it is important to consider not only their accuracy but also their robustness to changes in the data distribution. In this paper, we consider the case where there is an unobserved confounding variable $z$ that influences both the features $\mathbf{x}$ and the class variable $y$. When the influence of $z$ changes from training to testing data, we find that the classifier accuracy can degrade rapidly. In our approach, we assume that we can predict the value of $z$ at training time with some error. The prediction for $z$ is then fed to Pearl's back-door adjustment to build our model. Because of the attenuation bias caused by measurement error in $z$, standard approaches to controlling for $z$ are ineffective. In response, we propose a method to properly control for the influence of $z$ by first estimating its relationship with the class variable $y$, then updating predictions for $z$ to match that estimated relationship. By adjusting the influence of $z$, we show that we can build a model that exceeds competing baselines on accuracy as well as on robustness over a range of confounding relationships.Comment: 9 page

Causally Regularized Learning with Agnostic Data Selection Bias

Most of previous machine learning algorithms are proposed based on the i.i.d. hypothesis. However, this ideal assumption is often violated in real applications, where selection bias may arise between training and testing process. Moreover, in many scenarios, the testing data is not even available during the training process, which makes the traditional methods like transfer learning infeasible due to their need on prior of test distribution. Therefore, how to address the agnostic selection bias for robust model learning is of paramount importance for both academic research and real applications. In this paper, under the assumption that causal relationships among variables are robust across domains, we incorporate causal technique into predictive modeling and propose a novel Causally Regularized Logistic Regression (CRLR) algorithm by jointly optimize global confounder balancing and weighted logistic regression. Global confounder balancing helps to identify causal features, whose causal effect on outcome are stable across domains, then performing logistic regression on those causal features constructs a robust predictive model against the agnostic bias. To validate the effectiveness of our CRLR algorithm, we conduct comprehensive experiments on both synthetic and real world datasets. Experimental results clearly demonstrate that our CRLR algorithm outperforms the state-of-the-art methods, and the interpretability of our method can be fully depicted by the feature visualization.Comment: Oral paper of 2018 ACM Multimedia Conference (MM'18

Modelling the creation of value from intellectual capital: a Portuguese banking perspective

Abstract: Despite the widely recognised importance of intellectual capital as a vital source of competitive advantage, there is still little understanding of how organisations actually combine their components to drive value. The purpose of this study is to examine the interrelationships among intellectual capital components within the Portuguese banking context by extending a study completed by Bontis. Several paths are identified that drive towards superior performance. Various models are assessed using a Partial Least Squares (PLS) approach given its advantages in dealing with complex models and its predictive capability. Empirical findings from this study support the proposition that intellectual capital is a driver of organisational value, but only in certain combinations

Spatial and environmental drivers of macrophyte diversity and community composition in temperate and tropical calcareous rivers

The hypothesis was examined that sources of variation in macrophyte species richness (alpha-diversity: S) and community composition (“species-set”), attributable to spatial and environmental, variables, may differ in importance between tropical and temperate calcareous rivers (>10 mg CaCO3 L−1). To test this hypothesis geographic, environmental, and aquatic vegetation data was acquired for 1151 sites on calcareous rivers within the British Isles, supporting 106 macrophyte species (mean S: 3.1 species per sample), and 203 sites from Zambian calcareous rivers, supporting 255 macrophyte species (mean S: 8.3 species per sample). The data were analysed using an eigenfunction spatial analysis procedure, Moran’s Eigenvector Maps (MEM), to assess spatial variation of species richness and community composition at large regional scale (>105 km2: British Isles and Zambia); and at medium catchment scale (104–105 km2: British Isles only). Variation-partitioning was undertaken using multiple regression for species richness data, and partial redundancy analysis (pRDA) for community data. For the British Isles, spatial and environmental variables both significantly contributed to explaining variation in both species richness and community composition. In addition, a substantial amount of the variation in community composition, for the British Isles as a whole and for some RBUs, was accounted for by spatially-structured environmental variables. In Zambia, species richness was explained only by pure spatial variables, but environmental and spatially-structured environmental variables also explained a significant part of the variation for community composition. At medium-scale, in the British Isles, species richness was explained by spatial variables, and only for four of the six RBUs

Effectiveness and cost effectiveness of pharmacist input at the ward level: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Background Pharmacists play important role in ensuring timely care delivery at the ward level. The optimal level of pharmacist input, however, is not clearly defined. Objective To systematically review the evidence that assessed the outcomes of ward pharmacist input for people admitted with acute or emergent illness. Methods The protocol and search strategies were developed with input from clinicians. Medline, EMBASE, Centre for Reviews and Dissemination, The Cochrane Library, NHS Economic Evaluations, Health Technology Assessment and Health Economic Evaluations databases were searched. Inclusion criteria specified the population as adults and young people (age >16 years) who are admitted to hospital with suspected or confirmed acute or emergent illness. Only randomised controlled trials (RCTs) published in English were eligible for inclusion in the effectiveness review. Economic studies were limited to full economic evaluations and comparative cost analysis. Included studies were quality-assessed. Data were extracted, summarised. and meta-analysed, where appropriate. Results Eighteen RCTs and 7 economic studies were included. The RCTs were from USA (n=3), Sweden (n=2), Belgium (n=2), China (n=2), Australia (n=2), Denmark (n=2), Northern Ireland, Norway, Canada, UK and Netherlands. The economic studies were from UK (n=2), Sweden (n=2), Belgium and Netherlands. The results showed that regular pharmacist input was most cost effective. It reduced length-of-stay (mean= -1.74 days [95% CI: -2.76, -0.72], and increased patient and/or carer satisfaction (Relative Risk (RR) =1.49 [1.09, 2.03] at discharge). At £20,000 per quality-adjusted life-year (QALY)-gained cost-effectiveness threshold, it was either cost-saving or cost-effective (Incremental Cost Effectiveness Ratio (ICER) =£632/ QALY-gained). No evidence was found for 7-day pharmacist presence. Conclusions Pharmacist inclusion in the ward multidisciplinary team improves patient safety and satisfaction and is cost-effective when regularly provided throughout the ward stay. Research is needed to determine whether the provision of 7-day service is cost-effective.Peer reviewe

Strategies to lead outsourced teams: Insights into management of the biotech value chain

Comprehending that the biotech value chain is supported by outsourced structures and the need to expand findings to drug discovery biotech, in the current study the authors aim to understand and propose effective strategies to manage an outsourced-based value chain and lead outsourced teams. To do so, the authors conducted a literature review and a research survey developed for the present study and focused on the biotech sector. Using secondary and primary data, qualitative and quantitative research, the analysis and comparison of the sources were performed, and proposals were presented, as a result of the conducted research. The findings suggest that access to specialized functions was the main aspect considered by biotech to confer strategic advantage to outsourcing business functions and that demanding HR and operations management are proposed as the main concern of outsourcing and the critical factor of success when managing an outsourced-based value chain. Additionally, communication and good leadership practices are proposed as the most relevant aspects of effectively promoting motivation of outsourced teams. These results strengthen the view of the relevance of effective strategies to manage an outsourced-based value chain and lead outsourced teams in biotech. The resulting findings also propose that drug discovery biotech must expand to the relevant areas of knowledge, considering complementary and synergetic specialties through outsourcing, while taking careful consideration of HR management and investing in mechanisms to regulate and promote knowledge absorption, as well as designing strong relationships governance structure and instruments to successfully manage outsourced teams and share generated knowledge.Reconhecendo que a cadeia de valor do sector da biotecnologia é apoiada em estruturas complexas de subcontratação e a necessidade de expandir para o sector da biotecnologia as medidas previamente identificadas, neste estudo os autores pretendem compreender e propor estratégias de gestão de uma cadeia de valor baseada na subcontratação e de liderança de equipas subcontratadas. Para tal, os autores realizaram revisão bibliográfica e um questionário desenvolvido para o estudo e direccionado para o sector da biotecnologia. Utilizando dados secundários e primários, pesquisas qualitativas e quantitativas, foram realizadas análises e comparações das fontes, e apresentadas propostas, como resultado da pesquisa realizada. As descobertas sugerem que o acesso a funções especializadas é o principal aspecto considerado pelo sector da biotecnologia para conferir vantagem estratégica na subcontratação de funções e a exigente gestão de recursos humanos e de operações é proposta como a principal preocupação no contexto de subcontratação e o fator crítico de sucesso na gestão de uma cadeia de valor subcontratada. Estes resultados fortalecem a visão da relevância de estratégias para gerir uma cadeia de valor baseada na subcontratação e liderar equipas subcontratadas. Concluindo, os autores propõem que as empresas de biotecnologia expandam para as áreas relevantes do conhecimento através da subcontratação. Devem também reconhecer a importância da gestão de recursos humanos e investir em mecanismos para regular e promover a absorção de conhecimento. Devem ainda desenhar uma estrutura de governação de relações e instrumentos que permitam boas práticas de liderança de equipas subcontratadas e promovam partilha de conhecimento

Strategies to lead outsourced teams: Insights into management of the biotech value chain

Comprehending that the biotech value chain is supported by outsourced structures and the need to expand findings to drug discovery biotech, in the current study the authors aim to understand and propose effective strategies to manage an outsourced-based value chain and lead outsourced teams. To do so, the authors conducted a literature review and a research survey developed for the present study and focused on the biotech sector. Using secondary and primary data, qualitative and quantitative research, the analysis and comparison of the sources were performed, and proposals were presented, as a result of the conducted research. The findings suggest that access to specialized functions was the main aspect considered by biotech to confer strategic advantage to outsourcing business functions and that demanding HR and operations management are proposed as the main concern of outsourcing and the critical factor of success when managing an outsourced-based value chain. Additionally, communication and good leadership practices are proposed as the most relevant aspects of effectively promoting motivation of outsourced teams. These results strengthen the view of the relevance of effective strategies to manage an outsourced-based value chain and lead outsourced teams in biotech. The resulting findings also propose that drug discovery biotech must expand to the relevant areas of knowledge, considering complementary and synergetic specialties through outsourcing, while taking careful consideration of HR management and investing in mechanisms to regulate and promote knowledge absorption, as well as designing strong relationships governance structure and instruments to successfully manage outsourced teams and share generated knowledge.Reconhecendo que a cadeia de valor do sector da biotecnologia é apoiada em estruturas complexas de subcontratação e a necessidade de expandir para o sector da biotecnologia as medidas previamente identificadas, neste estudo os autores pretendem compreender e propor estratégias de gestão de uma cadeia de valor baseada na subcontratação e de liderança de equipas subcontratadas. Para tal, os autores realizaram revisão bibliográfica e um questionário desenvolvido para o estudo e direccionado para o sector da biotecnologia. Utilizando dados secundários e primários, pesquisas qualitativas e quantitativas, foram realizadas análises e comparações das fontes, e apresentadas propostas, como resultado da pesquisa realizada. As descobertas sugerem que o acesso a funções especializadas é o principal aspecto considerado pelo sector da biotecnologia para conferir vantagem estratégica na subcontratação de funções e a exigente gestão de recursos humanos e de operações é proposta como a principal preocupação no contexto de subcontratação e o fator crítico de sucesso na gestão de uma cadeia de valor subcontratada. Estes resultados fortalecem a visão da relevância de estratégias para gerir uma cadeia de valor baseada na subcontratação e liderar equipas subcontratadas. Concluindo, os autores propõem que as empresas de biotecnologia expandam para as áreas relevantes do conhecimento através da subcontratação. Devem também reconhecer a importância da gestão de recursos humanos e investir em mecanismos para regular e promover a absorção de conhecimento. Devem ainda desenhar uma estrutura de governação de relações e instrumentos que permitam boas práticas de liderança de equipas subcontratadas e promovam partilha de conhecimento

Analysis of GraphQL performance: a case study

Atualmente os aplicativos da Web têm um papel relevante, com um grande número de aparelhos conectados à Internet e os dados são transmitidos entre plataformas distintas a um ritmo sem precedentes. Vários sistemas e plataformas de tipos diferentes, como web e móveis, exigem que os aplicativos se adaptem de maneira rápida e eficiente às necessidades dos consumidores. Em 2000, o Representation State Transfer (REST) foi apresentado e foi rapidamente adotado pelos desenvolvedores. No entanto, devido ao crescimento dos consumidores e às necessidades distintas, este estilo arquitetónico, na forma como é utilizado, revelou algumas fragilidades relacionadas com o desempenho e flexibilidade das aplicações. Estas são ou podem ser endereçadas com GraphQL. Apesar de ser uma tecnologia recente, já é usada por grandes empresas como Facebook, Netflix, GitHub e PayPal. Recentemente, uma plataforma do INESC TEC, denominada IRIS, enfrentou os mesmos problemas de desempenho e a possibilidade de adoção do GraphQL foi considerada. Várias alternativas com GraphQL foram estudadas e analisadas de forma a verificar se poderiam beneficiar o IRIS em termos de desempenho e flexbilidade. Uma das conclusões deste estudo é que todas as alternativas testadas revelam, no geral, melhores resultados de desempenho, tendo em consideração o tempo de resposta e o tamanho da resposta. No entanto, a utilização de uma alternativa constituída apenas por GraphQL apresenta-se como a melhor solução para melhorar o desempenho e flexibilidade de uma aplicação.Web applications today play a significant role, with a large number of devices connected to the Internet, and data is transmitted across disparate platforms at an unprecedented rate. Many systems and platforms of different types, such as web and mobile, require applications to adapt quickly and efficiently to the needs of consumers. In 2000, the Representation State Transfer (REST) was introduced, and the developers quickly adopted it. However, due to the growth of consumers and the different needs, this architectural style, in the way it is used, revealed some weaknesses related to the performance and flexibility of the applications. These are or can be addressed with GraphQL. Despite being a recent technology, it is already used by big companies like Facebook, Netflix, GitHub, and PayPal. Recently, an INESC TEC platform, called IRIS, faced the same performance problems and the possibility of adopting GraphQL was considered. Several alternatives with GraphQL were studied and analyzed to see if they could benefit IRIS in terms of performance and flexibility. One of the conclusions of this study is that all of the alternatives tested show, overall, better performance results, taking into account response time and response size. However, the use of an alternative consisting solely of GraphQL is the best solution to improve the performance and flexibility of an application

Bridging Technology and Well-being: Applying Machine Learning to Employee Mental Health: An Investigation into the Integration, Impact, and Adoption of Intelligent Solutions

Dissertation presented as the partial requirement for obtaining a Master's degree in Information Management, specialization in Information Systems and Technologies ManagementThis master's thesis explores the application of machine learning techniques to address business-related challenges, with a specific focus on enhancing support for employee mental health. The research aims to fill existing gaps in our understanding of how machine learning can positively impact employee well-being and workplace performance. Utilizing advanced statistical and probabilistic methods, the study will analyze a diverse range of data sources, including surveys and IT company records, to gain insights into various aspects of employee mental health and identify opportunities for improvement. The study will critically evaluate the influence of machine learning tools on employee well-being and performance while also investigating effective strategies for seamlessly integrating these tools into existing workplace wellness programs. Additionally, the thesis will address potential barriers to the adoption and utilization of machine learning tools in supporting employee mental health, offering practical solutions to overcome these challenges. This paper aims to contribute to the development of innovative tools and methodologies that foster a supportive work environment conducive to the improvement of employee mental health, thereby enhancing overall organizational performance and well-being

Hydrochlorothiazide tablets formulated in a ternary system with cyclodextrin and nanoclay

Trabalho Final de Mestrado Integrado, Ciências Farmacêuticas, Universidade de Lisboa, Faculdade de Farmácia, 2019A solubilidade dos fármacos é uma propriedade essencial no desenvolvimento de novas formas farmacêuticas. Fármacos que apresentam baixa solubilidade em água, como os pertencentes às classes II e IV do BiopharmaceuticsClassificationSystem (BCS), exigem o desenvolvimento de estratégias que permitam melhorar a sua solubilidade para que possam ser formulados em formas farmacêuticas sólidas eficientes. Nos últimos anos, têm sido investigadas diversas estratégias das quais se destacam para o âmbito deste trabalho a complexação com ciclodextrinas (CDs) e a utilização de nano-argilas como sistemas de transporte de fármacos. Este estudo tem como objetivo a produção de comprimidos de hidroclorotiazida (HCT), um fármaco de classe IV, utilizando um sistema ternário composto por uma CD, Randomly Substituted Methyl-β-cyclodextrin (RAMEβ), e uma nano-argila, Sepiolite (SV), com vista a melhorar as propriedades de dissolução do respetivo fármaco. Num primeiro passo, foram preparadas as misturas binárias HCT-RAMEβ, em vários rácios molares (1:1, 1:0,5, 1:0,25), através de duas técnicas diferentes, a Mistura Física e a Co-Evaporação, para selecionar a técnica de preparação e o rácio molar mais apropriados para a produção da mistura binária e, por conseguinte, dos comprimidos. Seguidamente, foram produzidos comprimidos constituídos pelo sistema ternário HCT-RAMEβ-SV, com o rácio molar de HCT-RAMEβ, anteriormente selecionado e utilizando três proporções de massa de HCT-SV (1:8, 1:4, 1:2) com vista a selecionar a proporção mais adequada para a produção de comprimidos e que simultaneamente seja eficaz na melhoria das propriedades de dissolução da HCT. A mistura binária HCT-RAMEβ preparada por Co-Evaporação com o rácio molar de 1:1 demonstrou aumentar significativamente a dissolução da HCT, tendo sido considerada como a mais adequada para a preparação da mistura binária. Os comprimidos produzidos por Mistura Física com o rácio molar HCT-RAMEβ de 1:1 e a proporção de massa HCT-SV de 1:8 evidenciaram um aumento notável das propriedades de dissolução da HCT. Concluindo, o sistema ternário HCT-RAMEβ-SV representa uma tecnologia farmacêutica promissora na medida em que possibilita a melhoria da solubilidade da HCT através da conjunção dos benefícios de duas estratégias diferentes (inclusão com CD e conjugação com nano-argilas) num único sistema de administração de fármacos.Solubility of drugs is an essential property in the development of new pharmaceutical forms. Drugs with low solubility in water, such as those belonging to classes II and IV of the Biopharmaceutics Classification System (BCS), require the development of strategies to improve their solubility, so that they can be formulated in efficient solid pharmaceutical forms. In recent years, several strategies have been investigated, of which the most important for the scope of this work are the complexation with cyclodextrins (CDs) and the use of nanoclays as drug delivery systems. This study aims to produce tablets containing hydrochlorothiazide (HCT), a class IV drug, using a ternary system composed of a CD, Randomly Substituted Methyl-β-cyclodextrin (RAMEβ), and a nano-clay, Sepiolite (SV), in order to improve the dissolving properties of the respective drug. In a first step, the binary mixtures of HCT-RAMEβ were prepared with various molar ratios (1:1, 1:0,5, 1:0,25) using two different techniques, Physical Mixing and Co-Evaporation, to select the most appropriate preparation technique and molar ratio for the production of the binary mixture and, consequently, the tablets. Then, tablets composed of the ternary system HCT-RAMEβ-SV were produced with the previously selected molar ratio of HCT-RAMEβ, and using three different mass ratios of HCT-SV (1:8, 1:4, 1:2), in order to select the most suitable mass ratio for the production of tablets and, at the same time, be effective in improving the dissolution properties of HCT. The binary mixture of HCT-RAMEβ prepared by Co-Evaporation with the molar ratio of 1:1 demonstrated to significantly increase the dissolution of HCT and was considered the most suitable for the preparation of the binary mixture. The tablets produced by Physical Mixture with the 1:1 HCT-RAMEβ molar ratio and the HCT-SV mass ratio of 1:8 showed a remarkable increase in the dissolving properties of HCT. In conclusion, the ternary system HCT-RAMEβ-SV represents a promising approach able to improve HCT solubility by combining the benefits of two different strategies (inclusion with CD and conjugation with nanoclays) in a single drug delivery system.Scuola di Scienze della Salute Umana, Università degli Studi di Firenze; Hospital de Sta. Maria; Farmácia Sane