Changes In Law Research Articles

On the obligations of states to respond to climate change and China’s legal consequences: based on the advisory opinion in case no. 31 of the international tribunal for the law of the sea

IntroductionClimate change presents a critical global challenge, requiring states to develop and implement robust legal and policy frameworks. The 2024 Advisory Opinion issued by the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea (ITLOS) in Case No. 31 highlights the legal obligations of states under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) to address climate change, emphasizing the role of the marine environment in this context.MethodsThis study conducts a comprehensive analysis of the Advisory Opinion and examines its implications for China’s existing climate change legal framework. The analysis identifies key challenges, including expanded legal responsibilities, the harmonization of international law with domestic legislation, and the increased risk of international climate litigation for domestic enterprises.ResultsThe Advisory Opinion establishes a higher standard for China’s legislative response to climate change, necessitating the integration of its international obligations into its domestic legal framework. Key findings reveal gaps in China’s current legal system and emphasize the need for proactive measures to align with international standards.DiscussionTo address these challenges, the paper proposes several recommendations: developing a comprehensive legal framework for climate change, reinforcing due diligence obligations, establishing a robust climate monitoring and assessment system, and enhancing the capacity of domestic enterprises to handle international climate litigation. These measures aim to position China as a proactive contributor to global climate governance.ConclusionThe study provides valuable insights for advancing China’s climate change law and aligning it with the international legal framework. The proposed measures serve as essential guidance for China to assume greater responsibility and influence within the global climate legal system.

A hybrid ice-mélange model based on particle and continuum methods

Abstract. Ice mélange, a composite of sea ice and icebergs, can have a major influence on sea-ice–ocean interactions. However, ice mélange has not been represented in climate models because numerically efficient realizations do not exist. This motivates the development of a prototype of a dynamic hybrid ice-mélange model that we present in this paper. In our approach, icebergs are included as particles, while sea ice is treated as a continuum. To derive a joint continuum for ice mélange, we integrate particle properties into the sea-ice continuum. Thus, icebergs are viewed as thick, compact pieces of sea ice. The ice-mélange formulation is based on the viscous–plastic sea-ice rheology, which is currently the most widely used material law for sea ice in climate models. Starting from the continuum mechanical formulation, we modify the rheology such that icebergs are held together by a modified tensile strength in the material law. Due to the particle approach, we do not need highly resolved spatial meshes to represent the typical size of icebergs in ice mélange (< 300 m). Instead, icebergs can be tracked on a subgrid level, while the typical resolution of the sea-ice model can be maintained (≥10 km). This is an appealing property for computational efficiency and for an inclusion within large-scale models. In idealized test cases, we demonstrate that the proposed changes in the material law allow for a realistic representation of icebergs within the viscous–plastic sea-ice rheology. Furthermore, we show that subgrid dynamics, such as polynya formation due to grounded icebergs, can be modelled with the hybrid approach. Overall, this suggested extension of the viscous–plastic sea-ice model is a promising path towards the integration of ice mélange into climate models.

Investigation of Factors Influencing Solenoid Valve Speed Response Characteristics of the Common Rail Injector

The dynamic injection characteristics of high-pressure common rail fuel injection systems are determined by the speed response performance of the solenoid valve. A simulation model has been established for investigating the influence mechanism and change law of characteristic parameters on speed response characteristics of the solenoid valve. The speed response characteristics of the solenoid valve, including the average opening speed, the average closing speed, the maximum opening speed, and the maximum closing speed, caused by the changes of characteristic parameters such as pre-tightening force of the solenoid valve spring, mass of the solenoid valve moving parts, diameter of the outflow orifice, diameter of the inflow orifice, diameter of the control piston, and pressure in the common rail, have been studied. The correlation analysis of the influence factors is carried out by using the experimental design method based on the response surface model, and the correlation coefficients between each factor and the speed response characteristics of the solenoid valve are obtained. The results show that both single factors and interaction factors of the parameters are correlated with the speed response characteristics of the solenoid valve. The results of this paper can provide a theoretical reference for the design and optimization of the high-pressure common rail injector.

The ITLOS advisory opinion on climate change: Revisiting the relationship between the United Nations convention on the law of the sea and the Paris agreement

AbstractThe International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea (ITLOS) has issued its highly anticipated Advisory Opinion on Climate Change and International Law, following a request from the Commission of Small Island States on Climate Change and International Law (COSIS). The landmark Advisory Opinion elucidated numerous contentious issues around the interplay between the climate change and the law of the sea regimes. This article critically examines the ITLOS Advisory Opinion with respect to the relationship between the Paris Agreement and the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), contextualising them within the extensive academic and political discourse preceding the Opinion. In particular, the lex specialis question is brought into sharper focus. The Tribunal rejected the notion that the Paris Agreement is lex specialis with respect to climate change impacts on the ocean and clarified the nexus between adaptation measures and the overarching obligation to protect and preserve the marine environment. The analysis reveals that the Advisory Opinion conveys a generally critical view of the Paris Agreement, and may, despite its imposition of far‐reaching obligations upon States to mitigate marine pollution from greenhouse gases, inadvertently undermine global efforts to combat climate change. However, by articulating concrete legal obligations for States under the UNCLOS to prevent, control and reduce marine pollution from greenhouse gas emissions, the Advisory Opinion could further strengthen the legal foundations for domestic and international climate change litigation and elevate the profile of the oceans in global climate change negotiations.

Sterilization Surgery Trends in Texas after Passage of the Texas Heartbeat Act: Sterilization surgery trends in Texas.

On September 1, 2021, abortion became illegal in Texas once embryonic cardiac activity is detected. The aim of this study was to compare women's characteristics undergoing surgical sterilization before and following the change in abortion-banning laws in Texas. A retrospective study. Single tertiary medical center. All women that underwent bilateral salpingectomy for surgical sterilization between May 2020 to November 2022.Women who underwent surgery 15 months before the new laws (controls) were compared to women who underwent surgery 15 months after the change (study group). Demographic and clinical characteristics were collected from the women's medical files. Operative and postoperative data was collected from the operative reports and post-operative follow-up visits. Primary outcome was defined as the proportion of the women undergoing sterilization in each study period (15 months) calculated as percent of the total number of women included in the study (30 months). 205 women met inclusion criteria, of them 131(64%) were in the study group and 74(36%) controls (p<0.001). The Median age was found similar between the groups [31(27-35) and 31(27-34) years for the study group and controls, respectively;(p=.98)]. The number of women with private insurance was significantly higher in the study group (p=0.04). Parity was significantly higher in the control group, as evidenced by the proportion of nulliparous women, which was more than double in the study population compared to controls [37 (28%) vs. 8 (11%); p = 0.004]. Surgery as the first contraception method was reported in 63(48%) and 41(19%) of the women in the study and control groups, respectively (p=.58). The surgical approaches did not differ between the groups (p=.63). The complication rate was found higher for the study group, but the difference did not reach significance (p=.13). Surgical sterilization has significantly increased since the change in abortion banning laws in Texas. Although the mean age to undergo the surgery did not change, more nulliparous women preferred this method for contraception.

Recourse and (strategic) mortgage defaults: Evidence from changes in housing market laws

Recourse and (strategic) mortgage defaults: Evidence from changes in housing market laws

Analysis of the modern nature of bankruptcy institution in the Russian Federation

The purposes of this article are to reasonably determine the nature of the institution of bankruptcy and assess its impact on law enforcement practice. The basic methods of the article are: historical review, substantive (content) analysis, causal analysis, statistical (horizontal and vertical) research of data on bankruptcy procedures, observation of consequences. Methodologically, the work is based on a brief description of historical milestones in the development of the institute of bankruptcy and on the analysis of the transformation of understanding the essence of the concept of insolvency in various editions of the Federal law. Then causal relationships are established, reflecting the key changes in the current Federal law No. 127 of October 26, 2002 and a hypothesis is expressed about the liquidation nature of the institution. Using open statistical data from official bodies and current research by specialists on the subject of the article, the authors reasonably confirm the initial hypothesis (quantitative characteristics are given). The work is completed with an assessment of the impact of the liquidation nature of the bankruptcy institution on the law enforcement practice and the negative consequences of this state of affairs are revealed, which necessitates (determines the expediency) an additional study of the causes. The main results of the article can be applied in the practice of teaching such disciplines as anti-crisis management, legal foundations of insolvency (bankruptcy), arbitration process. A fairly clear justification of the nature and consequences of the functioning of the modern institution of bankruptcy can be considered a contribution to science. Practical usefulness is manifested in the indication of weak points of the legislation that are applied for the purpose of unfair enrichment.

Analysis of Real Estate Records in FB&amp;H

The long-standing tradition of real estate registration in Bosnia and Herzegovina has led to the development of several different models for recording real estate information. From the time of the Ottoman Empire to the present day, various authorities have taken charge, each leaving its own mark on the methods of recording real estate and property rights. This paper examines the current state of cadastral and land registry records in the Federation of B&amp;H, as well as the human resources and geodetic equipment available to municipal and city services. The research findings indicate that changes in laws affecting property record-keeping have had significant impacts, resulting in a highly diverse situation regarding real estate records in the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina today. This paper provides an accurate overview of the current state of real estate records and offers a solid foundation for making decisions and planning improvements to the management of property records and rights.

International conference “Spaces for change in law, language, literature, history and cultural imagination of Asia, Africa and Europe”. 19th Conference of Translation, Interpreting, LSPs and Cultural Studies and 4th East European Consortium of Korean Studies (EECKS) and the International Conference on East Asian and Korean Studies. Gułtowy, 27th–29th June 2024.

International conference “Spaces for change in law, language, literature, history and cultural imagination of Asia, Africa and Europe”. 19th Conference of Translation, Interpreting, LSPs and Cultural Studies and 4th East European Consortium of Korean Studies (EECKS) and the International Conference on East Asian and Korean Studies. Gułtowy, 27th–29th June 2024.

A Decisional Study of Criminal Liability of Road-Based Mass Transportation Drivers in Special Bus Lanes

This research aims to make a decision study of criminal liability of road-based mass transport drivers in special bus lanes. The research method used is normative juridical. This result of the research shows that drivers of road-based mass transportation buses who enter special bus lanes should not be punished if someone breaks through the special bus lane which results in an accident and the victim dies. This is based on legal experience, namely on court decisions based on articles relating to road user negligence. The decision made by the judge in the case of death due to someone breaking into a special bus lane exampale in case Decision Number 1086 K/PID/2016 and others is not commensurate with the driver's fault because the incident occurred due to the fault of the perpetrator or the victim themselves. This decision also cannot apply to mass transit bus drivers because basically it is necessary to pay more in-depth attention to causal factors, as well as Victim Precipitation conditions which are the initial causes of accidents in special bus lanes. This research is a form of proposed change in Law No. 22 of 2009 concerning Traffic and Road Transportation.

Penalizing underage alcohol use is associated with lower mortality for young drivers: Use/lose laws and their association with motor vehicle collision mortality.

Motor vehicle collisions (MVC) continue to be a leading cause of mortality for youth in the United States. Since 2010, seven states have revoked mandatory laws that suspended licenses for underage alcohol use, also known as use/lose laws. This study analyzed whether each state's policy change was associated with increased youth MVC mortality. State mortality data for youth ages 15 years to 20 years in MVCs involving a young driver (i.e., ages 15-20 years) were obtained from the Fatality Analysis Reporting System. Population data was retrieved from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's Wide-ranging ONline Data for Epidemiologic Research. Motor vehicle collisions mortality rates were calculated for each state with a law change per 1,000,000 persons. For difference-in-difference analysis, each state's youth MVC mortality rates from 3 years prior to the law change were compared with rates from 3 years post-law changes, relative to a national average compiled of states with no law changes. From 2010 to 2020, seven states revoked one or more of their mandatory use/lose laws. For all states, young driver MVC mortality rates significantly increased after removal of use/lose legislation (South Dakota: 5.4 excess deaths per million (EDPM), Indiana: 5.6 EDPM, Georgia 28.0 EDPM, Oregon: +41.9 EDPM, Pennsylvania: +10.4 EDPM, Delaware: +45.4 EDPM, Illinois +29.2 EDPM, all p < 0.001). Examining mortality rates at the state reveals a significant negative association between penalizing underage alcohol use and young driver MVC deaths. Future legislation and health outcomes analysis should consider state-level differences to retain and develop effective policies that reduce injury-related mortality. Epidemiological; Level IV.

Protecting the climate through EU supply chain legislation? Two critiques and a compromise

Abstract Climate change law faces a serious implementation problem. New instruments promoted by states from the Global North to address the implementation gap come from the sphere of trade and supply chain regulation. This article focuses on corporate climate due diligence legislation and its potential contribution to fulfilling the objectives outlined in the Paris Agreement. By examining the EU’s legislative process towards adopting a Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive (CSDDD), it explores various approaches to regulating the climate impacts of corporations, including along global supply chains. The article critiques both the ultimately adopted climate transition planning requirement and the European Parliament’s alternative proposal, which aimed to incorporate climate mitigation into the general due diligence framework of the Directive but was unsuccessful. It applies two overarching critiques, termed ‘not enough’ and ‘regulatory imperialism’, to the specific context of corporate climate due diligence. Although these critiques may initially appear contradictory, the article endeavours to reconcile them through a compromise approach that fosters greater participation, integrates measures to mitigate impacts on self-determination, and specifies the obligations imposed on corporations regarding climate mitigation. Finally, the article discusses the idea of a decentralised enforcement regime and highlights the importance of regulation in states of the Global South to achieve a truly planetary legal order on corporate climate accountability.

Simulation and Assessment of Thermal-Stress Analysis of Welding Materials in IGBT.

Insulated gate bipolar transistors (IGBTs), as an important power semiconductor device, are susceptible to thermal stress, thermal fatigue, and mechanical stresses under high-voltage, high-current, and high-power conditions. Elevated heat dissipation within the module leads to fluctuating rises in temperature that accelerate its own degradation and failure, ultimately causing damage to the module as a whole and posing a threat to operator safety. Through ANSYS Workbench simulation analysis, it is possible to accurately predict the temperature distribution, equivalent stress, and equivalent strain of solder materials under actual working conditions, thus revealing the changing laws of the heat-mechanical interaction in solder materials. Simulation analysis results show that, under steady-state operating conditions, the highest point of the IGBT module's overall junction temperature occurs in the center of the chip. Nanogold exhibited the best performance in terms of temperature and equivalent stress-strain among the five solders studied in this paper; defects near the edges caused greater harm to the module compared to those closer to the solder layer's center. In terms of stress, defects located near the edge corners produced larger strains. Crazing damage in joints allows for a faster transfer of heat sources away from the center; in terms of stress, crazing has fewer detrimental effects on the integrity of the module as compared to through cracks. Simulation analysis can model the interaction of heat and equipment under realistic work conditions, comparing and evaluating different types of solder materials to select the most suitable solder material for product design and material selection. This aids in enhancing design precision and reliability.

Numerical Simulation Study of Rotating Structure for Large Tonnage Asymmetric T-Shaped Rigid Swiveling Bridge

In order to study the change law of mechanical characteristic parameters of the steel spherical hinge of swiveling bridges in the process of rotation, a T-shaped rigid swiveling bridge over railway is used as a research target in this paper, and a three-dimensional bridge finite element model was constructed. The process of bridge turning was numerically simulated by Ansys software(Ansys Release 16.0); the patterns of change in the upper turntable and steel spherical hinge stresses for specific rotational angles were obtained, the effect of bias loads on the stress distribution in the upper turntable and steel spherical hinge was analyzed, and the stress data of the steel spherical hinge of numerical simulation and real-time monitoring were compared. The results illustrated: During rotation, the maximum compressive stress in the upper turntable is located in the contact area with the outer edge of the upper steel spherical hinge; the maximum compressive stress in the steel spherical hinge is at the edge of its own circumference. The overall stress in the upper steel spherical hinge is slightly greater than the stress in the lower steel spherical hinge. Under the eccentricity condition, the maximum compressive stress in the steel spherical hinge increases with increasing eccentricity, and the stress concentration is more significant. The eccentric limit position of swiveling bridges is determined by the strength of the upper turntable. The monitoring method of deploying stress gauges at the steel support structure of the lower bearing platform provides a new method to obtain the stress pattern of the steel spherical hinge and even the bridge as a whole.

Vibration characteristics analysis of multi-layer composite cylindrical shell casing with different layer thickness ratios under external pressure using energy method

PurposeAero-engine casings commonly use composite cylindrical shell structures with excellent properties such as corrosion resistance and fatigue resistance. Still, their vibration behavior is relatively complex and may cause fatigue vibration damage, so it is essential to analyze the vibration characteristics of composite cylindrical shells. The purpose of this paper is to analyze the vibration characteristics of multilayer composite cylindrical shells subjected to external pressures and having different interlayer thickness ratios and provide some theoretical basis for the fatigue damage prediction of cylindrical shell casing to ensure the safety and stability of the engine during flight.Design/methodology/approachFirstly, the vibration differential equation with external pressure is established based on Soedel theory considering nonlinear effects, while four symmetric boundary conditions are chosen to constrain the cylindrical shell. Then the Rayleigh–Ritz method, which is more efficient and accurate in calculating large structural systems, is applied to solve the problem, and the theoretical model of three-layer cylindrical shell under external pressure is established. The accuracy of the model is verified by comparing the data with the specialized literature. Subsequently, the effects of different external pressures and different thickness-to-diameter ratios, different length-to-diameter ratios and different interlayer thickness percentages on the natural frequency of multilayer composite cylindrical shells were investigated by control variable analysis.FindingsThe conclusions obtained show that the external pressure increases the natural frequency of the cylindrical shell and that the frequency characteristics of the cylindrical shell vary for different boundary conditions. The effect of length-to-diameter ratio, thickness-to-diameter ratio and the percentage of the thickness of the intermediate layer on the natural frequency of the cylindrical shell are significantly increased under external pressure. Because the presence of external pressure increases the frequency of the cylindrical shell by about 70%, it has almost no effect on the frequency at the minimum number of circumferential waves, and the effect on the frequency at the maximum number of circumferential waves is reduced to about 50%. The frequencies in the SL-SL boundary condition are all in perfect agreement with the S-S boundary condition under the influence of different influencing factors.Originality/valueIn this paper, the effect of external pressure and the natural properties of the cylindrical shell under external pressure on the cylindrical shell’s frequency is considered, emphasizing the effect of different layer thickness ratios on the frequency. This paper aims to summarize the changing law between the natural frequency of the cylindrical shell itself and different design parameters during the flight pressure process. Reliable theoretical predictions are provided for analyzing the vibrational behavior of shells subjected to external pressures in aerospace, as well as a database for the practical production of cylindrical shells.

MATHEMATICAL MODELING OF THE DYNAMICS OF THE AEROELASTIC "PIPELINE – PRESSURE SENSOR" SYSTEM

This paper proposes mathematical models of mechanical systems "pipeline - pressure sensor" designed to control the pressure of the working medium in the combustion chambers of engines. In such systems, to mitigate the impact of vibration accelerations and high temperatures, the sensor is connected to the engine using a pipeline and is located at some distance from it. The movement of the working medium is described by linear models of fluid and gas mechanics. To describe the dynamics of an elastic sensitive element, linear models of the mechanics of a solid deformable body are used. Based on linear differential equations with partial derivatives, mathematical formulations of problems are proposed that correspond to three-dimensional models of pressure measurement systems in gas-liquid media for some pipeline cross-sectional shapes, namely, for a pipeline with a rectangular cross-section, with a section in the form of a sector and in the form of a ring. By introducing integral characteristics, the solution of problems is reduced to studying one-dimensional models. Equations have been obtained that make it possible to determine the pressure of the working medium in the combustion chamber at each moment of time by the value of deformation of the sensitive element of the sensor. Analytical and numerical-analytical methods for solving the corresponding initial-boundary value problems for systems of differential equations are proposed. In the analytical approach, the solution of the problem is reduced to solving a differential equation with a deviating argument. The numerical-analytical study of the problem is based on the application of the Galerkin method. Also, a numerical experiment was carried out and examples of calculating the deformation of the sensitive element of the sensor in the case of rigid fastening when specifying specific values of the mechanical parameters of the system are presented, also during setting the law of change in the excess pressure of the working medium in the engine.

The moral economy of the rich

This article applies the concept of a ‘moral economy’ to the actions of the rich and powerful. The author focuses attention on business owners and provides a case study of a late nineteenth-century provincial businessman and his dismissal of two long-serving employees, an act which caused outrage in his community. The author questions how the morality of employment, job rights and dismissal developed subsequently and sketches developments up to the 1960s. The article then provides a more speculative discussion of the effects of changes in corporate law on corporate behaviour and suggests they have had a tendency to produce a moral irresponsibility in the behaviour of corporate officers.

Migration Crisis in the European Union: Origins, Consequences... and Directions of Change in Asylum Law

The European Union (EU) has faced a significant migration crisis over the past decade, driven by conflicts, economic disparities, and environmental changes. This paper examines the origins of the migration crisis, its consequences for the EU, and the subsequent changes in asylum law. By analyzing policy responses and their effectiveness, the paper aims to provide insights into the future directions of asylum law in the EU. The migration crisis in the European Union has been one of the most pressing challenges of the 21st century. This crisis, which peaked in 2015, has seen millions of people seeking refuge in Europe due to wars, persecution, and poverty in their home countries. The influx has strained the EU’s asylum systems, exposed weaknesses in its migration policies, and sparked political and social tensions across member states. This paper aims to analyze the origins of this crisis, its multifaceted consequences and the evolving legal framework for asylum within the EU.

Dynamic characteristic analysis and strength optimization of vibrating screen based on computer simulation technology

The dynamics and modal characteristics are important basis for the stable operation of vibrating screen. A multi-body dynamic model of vibrating screen was established based on ADAMS, and the laws of change in the center of mass and the dynamic response of the vibration isolation system were obtained. The amplitude-frequency response results of acceleration under varying stiffness and damping coefficients were compared and analyzed, providing a crucial foundation for enhancing vibration isolation performance. The vibrating screen was analyzed for its modal characteristics using ANSYS, and the natural frequencies and vibration patterns were investigated. The distribution and main causes of the maximum resonance displacement were discussed. Drawing on the results of stress and modal shapes, the strength of the vibrating screen was significantly enhanced through multi-objective optimization methods without increasing its weight. The findings indicate that the optimized structure can achieve a 32.2 % reduction in peak stress.

An Optimized Bidirectional Long Short-Term Memory Model Based on Hyperspectral Analysis of Protein Content in Milk Powder.

Protein content is an important index in the assessment of dairy nutrition. As a crucial source of protein absorption in people's daily life, the quality of milk powder products not only has a deep impact on the development of the dairy industry, but also seriously damages the health of consumers. It is of great significance to find a faster and more accurate method for detecting milk protein content. This paper utilizes the chemical content of milk powder and hyperspectral data as independent variables. By comparing 14 kinds of preprocessing algorithms, the mean-centered (MC) method is selected to preprocess the data, and then the combined method of competitive adaptive reweighted sampling (CARS) and uninformative variable elimination (UVE) is used to screen the feature wavelength, so as to establish the model and learn the internal dynamic change law of the feature. Furthermore, the Attention mechanism was introduced to assign different weights to bidirectional long short-term memory (BiLSTM) hidden states through mapping weighting and learning parameter matrix. To reduce the loss of information and strengthen the influence of important information, at the same time, in order to solve the difficult problem of hyperparameter selection of the model, the whale optimization algorithm (WOA) is proposed to optimize the hyperparameter selection of the model. The test results showed that with WOA-BiLSTM-Attention model algorithm, the coefficient of determination (R 2) of 0.9975 and root mean square error (RMSEP) of 0.0337 in comparison with R 2 and RMSEP values obtained from BiLSTM-Attention model algorithm, which were higher by 0.799% lower by 56.5%, respectively. This study provides algorithm support and theoretical basis for fast non-destructive testing based on deep learning algorithm to predict protein content in milk powder.