Search Results (202)

This study explores how corporate governance reforms can enhance financial reporting quality and organizational transparency, focusing on Greece’s transition from Law 3016/2002 to Law 4706/2020. The legislative reform aimed to modernize governance structures, align national practices with international standards, and strengthen investor protection in a post-crisis economic environment. Moving beyond a simple legal comparison, the study examines how Law 3016/2002’s formal compliance model contrasts with Law 4706/2020’s more substantive accountability framework. We hypothesize that Law 4706/2020 introduces substantively stronger governance mechanisms than its predecessor, thereby improving transparency and investor protection, while compliance with the new law imposes materially greater administrative and financial burdens, especially on small- and mid-cap firms. Methodologically, the research employs a narrative literature review and a structured comparative legal analysis to assess the administrative and financial implications of the new law for publicly listed companies, focusing on board composition and diversity, internal controls, suitability policies, and disclosure requirements. Drawing on prior comparative evidence, we posit that Law 4706/2020 will foster governance and disclosure improvements, enhanced oversight, and clearer board roles. However, these measures also impose compliance burdens. Due to the heterogeneity of listed companies and the lack of firm-level data following Law 4706/2020’s implementation, the findings are neither fully generalizable nor quantifiable; future quantitative research using event studies or panel data is required to validate the hypotheses. We conclude that Greece’s new framework is a critical step toward sustainable corporate governance and more transparent financial reporting, offering regulators, practitioners, and scholars examining legal reform’s impact on governance effectiveness and financial reporting integrity. Full article

Underground production and injection operations result in mechanical compaction and mineral chemical reactions that alter porosity and permeability. These changes impact the flow and, eventually, the long-term sustainability of reservoirs utilized for CO₂ sequestration and geothermal energy. Even though mechanical and chemical deformations in rocks take place at the pore scale, it is important to investigate their impact at the continuum scale. Rock deformation can be examined using intergranular pressure solution (IPS) models, primarily for uniaxial compaction. Because the reaction rate parameters are estimated using empirical methods and the assumption of constant mineral saturation indices, these models frequently overestimate the rates of compaction and strain by several orders of magnitude. This study presents a new THMC algorithm by combining thermo-mechanical computation with a fractal approach and hydrochemical computations using PHREEQC to evaluate the pressure solution. Thermal stress and strain under axisymmetric conditions are calculated analytically by combining a derived hollow circle mechanical structure with a thermal resistance model. Based on the pore scale, porosity and its impact on the overall excessive stress and strain rate in a domain are estimated by applying the fractal scaling law. Relevant datasets from CO₂ core flooding experiments are used to validate the proposed approach. The comparison is consistent with experimental findings, and the novel analytical method allows for faster inspection compared to numerical simulations. Full article

Introduction: The entry into force of a new education law (LOMLOE) in Spain introduces a regulatory framework that is committed to Health Education (HE) in the school context. Schools are considered strategic settings for acquiring healthy patterns that can last a lifetime, as confirmed by major European organizations such as the World Health Organization (WHO) and the European Commission (EC). The objective of this study was to conduct an expert consensus analysis of Decree 150/2022, on Early Childhood Education (ECE) curriculum in the region of Galicia (Spain), with regard to aspects related to HE. The analysis focused on issues related to physical, mental/emotional and social health and included comparisons with curricula from other regions of Spain and other European countries. Method: To this end, a panel of four experts (from the fields of nursing and physical education) was assembled to conduct a consensus analysis of the legislative document, using a mixed-method approach that combined the Delphi technique with structured face-to-face consensus meetings. Results: The summary of the final proposal reflects a document aligned with societal needs regarding children’s health while also addressing mental/emotional and social health. Conclusion: The proposal aims to promote the acquisition of healthy lifestyle habits that are sustained over time. However, the success of the document in terms of both content and practical application remains uncertain. Further studies will be needed in the coming years to analyze and provide concrete evidence regarding its outcomes and impact on students. Full article

African cities are experiencing rapid, unregulated growth, characterized by high land pressure and growing demand for housing and urban infrastructure. New arrivals often settle in vulnerable areas (wetlands, hills, flood) where land is cheaper and unregulated by public authorities. This type of settlement is accompanied by numerous land conflicts, exacerbated by the coexistence of formal and customary land tenure systems, which struggle to harmonize. In this context, public land regulation policies often remain centralized and ill-adapted, revealing their limitations in ensuring equitable and sustainable management of urban land. Faced with this gap, our systematic study explores the socio-environmental dynamics of this normative pluralism in land governance within Cameroonian cities. Our findings highlight the tensions and opportunities of this complex coexistence, which vary significantly according to city size (small, medium, and large), the colonial heritage (Francophone and Anglophone), and the dominant legal framework (civil law and common law). The analysis highlights the need to take into account historical, linguistic, and politico-administrative roots, which profoundly influence local forms of the institutionalization of normative pluralism and the associated socio-environmental vulnerabilities. This normative plurality underlines the importance of a hybrid system of land governance capable of integrating local specificities while ensuring land security for all. Future research will include comparisons with other African countries in order to understand transferable mechanisms for better land governance. Full article

As CMOS technology continues to downsize to the nanometer range, the exponential growth predicted by Moore’s Law has been significantly decelerated. Doubling chip density in the two-dimensional domain will no longer be feasible without further device downsizing. Meanwhile, emerging new device technologies, which may be incompatible with the mainstream CMOS technology, offer potential performance enhancements for system integration and could be options for a More-than-Moore system. Additionally, the explosive growth of artificial intelligence (AI) demands ever-high computing power and energy-efficient computing platforms. Heterogeneous multi-chip integration, which combines diverse components or a larger number of functional blocks with different process technologies and materials into compact 3D systems, has emerged as a critical pathway to overcome the performance limitations of monolithic integrated circuits (ICs), such as limited process/material options, low yield, and multifunctional design complexity. Furthermore, it sustains Moore’s Law progression for a further smaller footprint and higher integration density, and it has become pivotal for “More-than-Moore” strategies in the next CMOS technology revolution. This approach is also crucial for sustaining computational advancements with low-power dissipation and low-latency interconnects in the coming decades. The key techniques for heterogeneous wafer-to-wafer bonding involve both copper-to-copper (Cu-Cu) and dielectric-to-dielectric bonding. This review provides a comprehensive comparison of recent advancements in Cu-Cu bonding techniques. Major issues, such as plasma treatment to activate bonding surfaces, passivation to suppress oxidation, Cu geometry, and microstructure optimization to enhance interface diffusion and regrowth, and the use of polymers as dielectrics to mitigate contamination and wafer warpage, as well as pitch size scaling, are discussed in detail. Full article

This article compares the similar texts in historiography, legend, poetry, and law between the Hebrew Bible and Chinese classic works, emphasizing the mutual reflection and illumination of the two in terms of culture. This article holds that a literary work, just like an object, will release a certain form of energy, which will have an impact on other works and, at the same time, be influenced by other works. This article examines Chinese classic works from the perspective of the Hebrew Bible to gain new insights. By discussing the traditional comparative methods in biblical studies, the article emphasizes the possibility of comparison between different cultures. It is believed that, for similar stories and texts, it is important to analyze their specific cultural backgrounds and writing environments and to reveal the deep-seated reasons in terms of philosophy, history, society, culture, personal life experiences, etc., behind the phenomena of similarities and differences. Using this method, the article deeply analyzes the similarities and differences between the two kinds of texts in specific literary genres such as historiography, poetry, and law and gives examples to illustrate the similarities and differences between these two types of literary works. The study of these narratives within a comparative framework enables people to have a deeper understanding of these texts and the societies that produced them, while also respecting the unique backgrounds and meanings of each work. The article underlines the significance of cross-cultural comparison in the studies of the Bible and Chinese classic works. This research approach, as proposed, enriches the comprehension of these two literary traditions and their profound influence on the shaping of human history and culture. Full article

This paper highlights the transition from traditional procurement systems to the newly introduced eProcurement system in Saudi Arabia, emphasizing the differences and improvements and their implications for sustainable development. The new system aims to enhance transparency, clarify purchasing methodologies, and build trust with the government through effective governance of government purchases and tender management. Guided by Royal Decree, this system aligns with the eProcurement Program to transition into digital processes for proficient bids and government purchases, contributing to more efficient and sustainable procurement practices. While some public agencies have attempted to adopt the new model contract for executing construction projects, it has faced challenges due to its lack of alignment with the best practices and sustainability considerations. The authors argue that many large projects remain exempt from this system, which poses obstacles to achieving the goals of sustainable economic development. The objective of this paper is to explore the newly revised Saudi procurement contracts in comparison with traditional public works contracts, with a focus on how they address socio-economic and environmental sustainability. The research provides an overview of various aspects related to public works contracts (PWCs) in Saudi Arabia, including framework agreements, online reverse auctions, industry localization, knowledge transfer, traditional lump sum contracts, two-phase tenders, and construction project competitions, analyzing their alignment with sustainable development goals. There is limited literature on recent models introduced by the Saudi government, but there are extensive resources on general contract law principles and international public policy. This foundation helps with understanding the legal aspects of public works contracts in Saudi Arabia, their alignment with international standards, and their implications for fostering sustainable development. By examining the literature, researchers can gain insights into the legal and policy framework governing public works contracts in Saudi Arabia and their role in promoting sustainability. The importance of this research lies in its comparative analysis, offering valuable insights into the evolution of procurement practices in Saudi Arabia and their contribution to sustainable socio-economic growth. Full article

There is growing awareness that there is a link between climate change and human influence and that human activities contribute to the warming of the atmosphere. The research identifies two ways to prepare cities to meet the challenges: the first is to optimize the way the urban organism functions by containing CO₂ emissions and consumption of nonrenewable resources by indicating strategies to regenerate the existing city according to an ecosystem approach; the second is to preserve the natural areas of the peri-urban area through graded forms of protection and enhancement by curbing the settlement thrusts of the existing city. The article illustrates two case studies for comparison (Reggio Calabria and Enna) chosen in the context of two Italian regions. Both have urban planning laws that provide for new urban planning instruments sensitive to these aspects. The two case studies were selected because of the similarity of their physical characteristics and the types of agricultural production affecting large areas of land, which has been partially compressed over the years. The respective regional regulations provide solutions to increase protection while allowing for better sustainable use and enhancement. Full article

Regulatory technologies (RegTechs) are a set of electronic and digital technologies applied to check compliance in industrial processes. Such applications also aim to simplify the process of data collection and exchange according to the expected format over the cloud or the internet. Industrial processes are required to meet basic regulatory requirements according to law and follow a set of industry practices. Industry practices must be compliant with the basic regulatory requirements. Such applications also need a high level of privacy to protect the individual participant’s data from competitors but are revealed to the relevant regulatory agencies. However, there cannot be a standard data procurement method, as the industrial processes are different for individual businesses and often involve various stages of data collection with different aims. Also, the regulatory requirements may be changed over time. These challenges can be addressed over an online system that uses large language models (LLM) to perform continuous compliance checks. With LLMs, RegTech can be easily scaled up to meet new requirements. It can also help with data analysis and reformatting for different stakeholders in RegTech, such as producers, supply chains, regulators, and financial institutions. It can check for acceptable values with regards to RegTech through either numeric comparisons or enumerations matching. In this paper, we propose a comprehensive RegTech framework backed by LLM and web services. We propose a method to measure the accuracy of LLM in returning appropriate responses for RegTech queries and herein analyze several LLMs to conclude that they are satisfactory for basic tasks, but a dedicated LLM is needed for RegTech. Furthermore, we test the LLM’s tool-calling capabilities to identify and use dedicated functions in the form of web services to enhance the analytical accuracy and consistency of RegTech-related prompts. Full article

Electrical vehicle (EV) batteries, particularly lithium-ion batteries, pose significant environmental challenges due to their hazardous components, the effects of initial building-material fabrication, and the difficulties of recycling and disposal. Policies and legislative strategies adopted by different governments to solve these issues are investigated in this manuscript, specifically based on circularity and resource use. Important steps are end-of-life management, safe disposal and transportation, avoidance of hazardous gas emissions, circularity, resource use, fire prevention, and expanded producer accountability. As of February 2024, New Jersey is the first and only state in the United States that has adopted a thorough legislative framework for EV battery management, therefore establishing a standard for other states. California passed major laws encouraging Zero-Emission Vehicle (ZEV) battery manufacture and recycling. Other states are likewise trying to show initiative by implementing and changing laws. Globally, the European Union is leading, while Canada, Australia, China, and others have created strong rules of regulation. This paper looks at and contrasts the environmental problems of lithium-ion electric vehicles with the legislative actions made by different nations and states to solve these problems. By means of a thorough examination of these policies, this paper seeks to present a whole picture of the current scene and the best techniques for lifetime management of EV batteries that can be embraced by different governments. In this manuscript, a comparison is made between two leading legislations, specifically that of the state of New Jersey and the European Union. To achieve the most beneficial outcome, it is the responsibility of stakeholders to promote rules; emphasize battery recycling, secure disposal, and extended producer accountability; promote innovation in sustainable battery technology; and try to build a pragmatic approach to battery management to mitigate environmental impacts based on a hybrid version of the legislations from the state of New Jersey and the European Union. Full article

The processing and disposal of municipal solid waste (MSW) are global problems, particularly in low- to middle-income states like Pakistan. These economic systems will need to tackle problems regarding municipal solid waste disposal to accomplish a sustainable future in waste management. Still, the determination of MSW procedures is frequently influenced by unstable, vague, and inadequately stated criteria. To deal with this issue, we designed an interactive model that uses intuitionistic fuzzy hypersoft sets (IFHSSs) to find the optimal thermochemical processing system for MSW. The main objective of this research is to define interactional operational laws for intuitionistic fuzzy hypersoft numbers and to use these laws to build interaction aggregation operators (AOs) and ordered AOs along with their basic characteristics. Based on developed operators, a novel Evaluation Based on the Distance from the Average Solution (EDAS) technique is proposed to integrate multiple attribute group decision making (MAGDM) issues. The suggested strategy is used to analyze five thermochemical treatment techniques for MSW, using a case study focusing on Pakistan’s particular MSW administration problems to choose the most economical technique. Therefore, the new structure is assessed with established methodologies to illustrate its stability. The comparison of results proves that the implications of the stated approach will be more effective and capable than the existing approaches. Full article

A new method to discover open-loop, unstable, longitudinal aerodynamic parameters, using a ‘two-stage optimization approach’ for designing optimal inputs, and with an application on the fighter aircraft platform, has been presented. System identification of supersonic aircraft requires formulating optimal inputs due to the extremely limited maneuver time, high angles of attack, restricted flight conditions, and the demand for an enhanced computational effect. A pre-requisite of the parametric model identification is to have a priori aerodynamic parameter estimates, which were acquired using linear regression and Least Squares (LS) estimation, based upon simulated time histories of outputs from heuristic inputs, using an F-16 Flight Dynamic Model (FDM). In the ‘first stage’, discrete-time pseudo-random binary signal (PRBS) inputs were optimized using a minimization algorithm, in accordance with aircraft spectral features and aerodynamic constraints. In the ‘second stage’, an innovative concept of integrating the Fisher Informative Matrix with cost function based upon D-optimality criteria and Crest Factor has been utilized to further optimize the PRBS parameters, such as its frequency, amplitude, order, and periodicity. This unique optimum design also solves the problem of non-convexity, model over-parameterization, and misspecification; these are usually caused by the use of traditional heuristic (doublets and multistep) optimal inputs. After completing the optimal input framework, parameter estimation was performed using Maximum Likelihood Estimation. A performance comparison of four different PRBS inputs was made as part of our investigations. The model performance was validated by using statistical metrics, namely the following: residual analysis, standard errors, t statistics, fit error, and coefficient of determination $({\mathrm{R}}^2)$. Results have shown promising model predictions, with an accuracy of more than 95%, by using a Single Sequence Band-limited PRBS optimum input. This research concludes that, for the identification of the decoupled longitudinal Linear Time Invariant (LTI) aerodynamic model of supersonic aircraft, optimum PRBS shows better results than the traditional frequency sweeps, such as multi-sine, doublets, square waves, and impulse inputs. This work also provides the ability to corroborate control and stability derivatives obtained from Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) and wind tunnel testing. This further refines control law design, dynamic analysis, flying qualities assessments, accident investigations, and the subsequent design of an effective ground-based training simulator. Full article

For about 60 years, the aerospace industry has been strongly interested in superplastic forming processes to produce extremely light and complex-shaped components. Superplastic characteristics are found in lightweight metallic materials such as titanium-based, aluminum-based, and, more recently, magnesium-based alloys. Since the high ductility exhibited by superplastic materials is two orders of magnitude higher than that of conventional materials, complex-shaped components can be obtained. If made with conventional materials, they require expensive assembly operations. The behaviour of superplastic materials is summarized by a constitutive equation commonly obtained via tensile testing that subjects the tested material to a one-dimensional stress state. On the contrary, free-forming tests allows us to test the material by subjecting it to a stress state similar to that determined during a real superplastic-forming process. The aim of this work is to define the characteristic parameters of superplastic materials by free-forming tests. The behaviour of superplastic materials is commonly modelled using a power law which puts the material into a stress-to-strain-rate relationship. This law needs to identify two parameters characterizing superplastic materials: the strain rate sensitivity index and the strength coefficient. In this work, a new procedure is presented that implies the two material parameters vary with strain. It allows for a reduction in the number of constants needed to determine the material constitutive equation, thus requiring low simulation time compared to models that adopt the multiple-objective optimization based on genetic algorithms (GAs). It is more suitable to be used in the industrial field. Furthermore, the proposed procedure is compared with a conventional procedure which is also based on the inverse analysis carried out through the use of a finite element analysis. The results of the conventional procedure, based on the inverse analysis, which is conducted through the use of a finite element analysis, are used to calculate the material constants, and are compared with those coming from the procedure proposed in this work. The proposed procedure appears equally simple and gives more accurate results compared to the conventional procedure. In fact, the maximum percentage error, regarding the prediction of the forming times of a free-forming process, was reduced from 20% to 8%. The development of the proposed procedure, as well as the comparison of the results with a conventional procedure, required the development of an experimental activity. This activity consists of free-forming tests conducted at a constant pressure (the pressures employed vary from 0.2 to 0.4 MPa), at a temperature of 753 K, and on circular sheets (thickness 1.0 mm and radius 40 mm) in superplastic magnesium alloy AZ31. Full article

The application of coal technologies for energy generation leads to high pollutant emissions. Thus, governmental and international organizations have created new programs and laws for monitoring emissions. Recently, the government of Kazakhstan has introduced regulations for the measurement of emissions produced by factories and power plants. However, the requirements and Corecommendations for the monitoring methods have not been defined. Therefore, this article addresses the problem and focuses on determining the measurement errors made by optical SGK510 and electrochemical POLAR devices used for coal power plants. The hypothesis is based on the fact that there are currently no systems for monitoring probe drying, and its implementation is expensive. The main methods are analyzed, namely their operation, taking into account the presence of water particles in samples, and the possibility of using adjustment coefficients is considered. The main pollutants chosen for analysis are CO, NO, NO₂, NO_x, SO₂, and O₂. Using the Broich–Pagan test, homoscedasticity was determined, and the Fisher test showed the possibility of using tuning coefficients. The data for the optical method were compared to measurements taken using Inspector 500. The error for SO₂ determination was 7.19% for NO, 44.0985% for NO₂, 733.26% for NO_x, 7.39% for O₂, 2.75% for CO, 60.81%. The comparison between SGK510 and POLAR demonstrated the following errors: for CO—1.5%, for NO_x—82.4405%, for SO₂—41.17%, for O₂—11.61%. According to the Fisher criteria analysis of the optical method, only SO₂ and CO values measured by SGK510 in comparison to Inspector 500 had close similarity, while others demonstrated high deviations. The significance tests were carried out by Fisher’s, t-test, and ANOVA methods. For the electrochemical measurement, only CO values had close similarity. In the future, methods will be proposed to improve the accuracy of the system while reducing maintenance costs, as well as cleaning sampling systems. The multicomponent analysis application for accuracy improvement with the exhaust gas humidity, temperature, and flow consideration was recommended as a possible solution. Full article

This paper presents a new means to control the processes involving energy conversion. Electric machines fed by electronic converters provide a useful power defined by the inner product of two generalized energetic variables: effort and flow. The novelty in this paper is controlling the desired energetic variables by a Data-Driven Control (DDC) law, which comprises the effort and flow and the corresponding process control. The same desired useful power might be obtained with different controls at different efficiencies. Solving the regularization problem is based on building a knowledge database that contains the maximum efficiency points. Knowing a reasonable number of optimal efficiency operation points, an interpolation Radial Base Function (RBF) control was built. The RBF algorithm can be found by training and testing the optimal controls for any admissible operation points of the process. The control scheme developed for Permanent Magnet Synchronous Motor (PMSM) has an inner DDC loop that performs converter control based on measured speed and demanded torque by the outer loop, which handles the speed. A comparison of the DDC with the Model Predictive Control (MPC) of the PMSM highlights the advantages of the new control method: the method is free from the process nature and guarantees higher efficiency. Full article