Current International Standards Research Articles

Scientists and scientific journals should adhere to ethical standards for the use and reporting of data from Indigenous people.

Internationally, governments and scientists are bound by legal and treaty rights when working with Indigenous nations. These rights include the right of Indigenous people to control the conduct of science with Indigenous nations. Unfortunately, in some cases, individual scientists and scientific teams working with biological and genetic data collected from Indigenous people have not respected these international rights. Here, we argue that the scientific community should understand and acknowledge the historical harms experienced by Indigenous people under the veil of scientific progress (truth) and implement existing standards for ethical conduct of research and sovereign control of data collected within Indigenous communities (reconciliation). Specifically, we outline the rationale for why scientists, scientific journals and research integrity and institutional review boards/ethics committees should adopt, and be held accountable for upholding, current international standards of Indigenous data sovereignty and ethical use of Indigenous biological samples.

Quantitative analysis of toxicity risks in the operation of ammonia-fueled tugboats

As efforts to conserve energy and reduce emissions in the global shipping industry intensify, people are constantly looking for new types of energy to replace traditional fuels. Ammonia is considered a novel energy source due to its potential for carbon-neutral shipping when produced from renewable energy sources and is extremely promising for the shipping industry. In this study, the fuel toxicity risk of ammonia-fueled ships under operating conditions was quantified for the first time. The assessment process adopts the traditional quantitative risk assessment (QRA) framework with accident probability calculations based on Bayesian theory, and the process of partial quantification of consequences also guides the delineation of safety zones. The results of the study suggest that ammonia-powered tugboats are at a higher risk of toxic accidents during operation than accidents at sea, but both are within the acceptable limits of current international maritime safety and environmental standards. Finally, safety measures and risk mitigation strategies are proposed based on the study results. This provides important support in safety risk analysis for the design, production and operation of subsequent ammonia fueled vessels and is of great theoretical and practical importance.

Retained Earnings, Foreign Portfolio Ownership, and the German Current Account: A Firm-Level Approach

Abstract In some countries, a sizable fraction of savings is derived from corporate savings. Although larger, traded corporations are often co-owned by foreign portfolio investors, current international accounting standards allocate all corporate savings to the host country. This paper suggests a framework to correct for this misleading attribution and applies this concept to Germany. For the years 2012–2020, our corrections retrospectively reduce German savings and consequently the German current account surplus by, on average, €11.5 bn annually. This amounts to lowering Germany’s average official current account surplus (€226.6 bn) across these years by approximately five percent.

Retained Earnings, Foreign Portfolio Ownership, and the German Current Account: A Firm-Level Approach

Abstract In some countries, a sizable fraction of savings is derived from corporate savings. Although larger, traded corporations are often co-owned by foreign portfolio investors, current international accounting standards allocate all corporate savings to the host country. This paper suggests a framework to correct for this misleading attribution and applies this concept to Germany. For the years 2012–2020, our corrections retrospectively reduce German savings and consequently the German current account surplus by, on average, €11.5 bn annually. This amounts to lowering Germany’s average official current account surplus (€226.6 bn) across these years by approximately five percent.

Establishment and Analysis of Load Spectrum for Bogie Frame of High-Speed Train at 400 km/h Speed Level

The bogie frame, as one of the most critical load-bearing structures of the Electric Multiple Unit (EMU), is responsible for bearing and transmitting various loads from the car body, wheelsets, and its own installation components. With the increasing operating speed of high-speed EMUs, especially when the design and operational speeds exceed 400 km/h, the applicability of current international standards is uncertain. The load spectrum serves as the foundation for structural reliability design and fatigue evaluation. In this paper, the measured loads of the bogie frame of a CR400AF high-speed train on the Beijing–Shanghai high-speed railway are obtained, and the time-domain characteristic of the measured loads is analyzed under different operating conditions. Then, through the Weibull distribution of three parameters, the Weibull parameters at the 450 km/h speed level are fitted, and the maximum load and cumulative frequency under the speed level are derived. Finally, the load spectrum of the bogie frame at the 450 km/h speed level is established, which provides a more realistic load condition for accurately evaluating the fatigue strength of bogie frames at higher speed levels.

ESG disclosure standards: international and chinese case studies

This study is dedicated to revealing the implications of international ESG (Environmental, Social, Governance) disclosure standards and practices for China. The research task is to systematically sort out and analyze the current mainstream international ESG standards and their latest developments. At the same time, combined with China’s ESG disclosure policies and practices, it provides helpful references for formulating ESG disclosure standards and frameworks with Chinese characteristics. This paper is based on processing secondary data obtained through qualitative analysis of relevant literature and official government documents (plans, strategies, reports, and programs). The paper suggests that the current Chinese government needs to (1) formulate an ESG disclosure standard system with Chinese characteristics; (2) guide ESG market entities to jointly participate in the formulation and development of the ESG standard system; (3) create a mandatory ESG disclosure system.

Lumbosacral Transitional Disorder as a Missing Link in Symptomatic Scoliosis

Back pain in the presence of LSTVs (lumbosacral transitional vertebrae) was originally noted by Mario Bertolotti in 1917. The Lenke classification for scoliosis forms the current international standard. However, the connection between LSTVs and scoliosis is still poorly understood. The aim of this study is to show the connection between scoliosis and LSTVs in terms of their frequency and impact on further development. Our scoliosis outpatient clinic has an examination period that covers the years from 2014 to 2021. If LSTVs are radiologically suspected (AP and lateral X-ray of the spine) according to the Castellvi classification (II–IV), a further MRI investigation is initiated. Scoliosis shape is assigned according to the Lenke classification. Sagittal segmental differences are observed according to the vertical mean vertebral angle (VMVA) and its difference (Diff-VMVA). Assignment to the lumbar pain group is made in cases of a history of chronic or recurrent pain of more than 6 months. Differentiation is made at the initial presentation according to gender (male–female) and age (children and adults). Other associated diagnoses such as family correlations and the question of brace fitting are cited. Finally, the literature is reviewed from a scoliosis perspective and compared with the findings of the authors of this paper. A total of 1332 patients were evaluated, and LSTV Castellvi II–IV was confirmed in 72 of them (58 female and 14 male). The curvature extent of scoliosis in children and adults had a mean Cobb angle of 24.3° with a range from 11° to 55° (n-42) and 32.4° with a range from 12° to 66° (n-30), respectively. This indicates that 75% of n-54 patients were mostly classified as Castellvi II (pseudarthrosis) (IIA, 54.2%; IIB, 20.8%) in the total data. There were few patients classified with Castellvi III (22.2%) and IV (2.8%). A proportion of 87.5% of 72 patients were mostly classified as Lenke 1 (25.0% n-18) and Lenke 5 (62.5% n-45). According to the literature, the Diff-VMVA shows Cobb angles of 9.3° for Castellvi III and 5.3° for Castellvi IV. Half of the patients complain of chronic low back pain for at least 6 months or have recurrent complaints (48.6%). The complaints are mostly classified as Castellvi IIA (27.8%) and B (9.7%). The association of scoliosis and LSTVs yields only 13 studies (PubMed 04/18/2022) that focus on spine surgery issues and not on diagnostics. Attention should be given to the lumbosacral junction in Lenke 1 and Lenke 5. Nearly half of the patients in each category complain of chronic lumbar symptoms. This is notable in individual cases due to its rounding and thus its increased Diff-VMVA. Since only Castellvi II–IV is considered, a comparison of the frequency with other studies is not permissible. In conclusion, for scoliosis Lenke 5 and Lenke 1, the lumbosacral junction should be examined.

Assessing High-Voltage Shore Connection Safety: An In-Depth Study of Grounding Practices in Shore Power Systems

There is growing concern regarding air pollutants (NOx, SOx, and PM) and carbon emissions from ocean-going vessels in harbor areas and the role of high-voltage shore connection (HVSC) systems in mitigating these emissions during vessel berthing. The HVSC operates as a TN grounding system in humid environments, and it needs a proper grounding design to ensure safety when faults occur. This article intends to examine the overvoltage resulting from fault currents and its implications for the safety of operators when a single line-to-ground fault takes place within the design of HVSC grounding systems. The assessment is carried out by employing actual scenarios and parameters from a container berth at Kaohsiung Harbor in Taiwan. Considering site conditions, such as the wet ground surface, human body resistance, and electric shock duration, the tolerable safe voltage level is derived using IEEE Std. 80 and IEC 60479-1. Based on the shore power system grounding architecture specified in IEEE/IEC 80005-1, an equivalent circuit model is constructed to calculate the fault currents using symmetrical component analysis. The actual touch voltages generated in various locations are analyzed under scenarios of connecting or disconnecting the equipotential bonding between the ship and the shore using neutral grounding resistor (NGR) designs. This article delves into the scenarios of electric shock that may occur during the operation of an actual container ship’s shore power system. It evaluates whether various contact voltage values exceed current international standards and verifies the grounding design and safety voltage specifications of IEEE/IEC 80005-1. According to the results of this study, the use of NGR and protective earthed neutral (PEN) conductors in HVSC is crucial. This can limit fault currents, reduce touch voltage, and ensure the safety of personnel and equipment. Therefore, ensuring and monitoring equipment conductors and adopting NGRs of appropriate sizes are crucial elements in maintaining electrical safety in HVSC systems.

Algorithm of innovation project risk management

Aim. To develop a risk management algorithm that can be used in risk management of innovations.Objectives. On the basis of the current international standards of risk management and scientific publications to study the existing practice of risk management, highlighting the main elements of the risk management process into a single generalized risk management algorithm; based on the results of the first task, as well as taking into account the identified features of the process of innovation implementation, to develop an algorithm for risk management of innovation projects.Methods. The work is based on the study of scientific publications in the field of risk management and analysis of international standards on risk management in order to adapt them to the peculiarities of innovation management.Results. The problem of risk management of innovation projects is one of the most difficult in project management because of the significant degree of uncertainty inherent in innovation. The article reflects the problem of investors’ acceptance of increased risk during the realization of an innovation project. The peculiarity of risk management of innovations is the need to accept increased risk, and in return the opportunity to present a new product or technology to the market. Taking into account the considered peculiarities, an algorithmic approach to risk management of innovation projects is given. The practical significance of the study lies in the possibility of applying the developed algorithm of innovation project risk management by economic entities, which will improve the quality of corporate risk management and increase the efficiency of resource utilization. The authors point out the necessity of selecting a project with positive NPV (discounted cash flow, DCF) and accepting the increased risk of the innovation project in the process of innovation management.Conclusions. The authors have created a comprehensive methodological approach to innovation project risk management in the form of a sequence of actions algorithm. The purpose of its application is to increase the efficiency of risk management and to achieve a successful result of innovation implementation.

ФОРМУВАННЯ СИСТЕМИ УПРАВЛІННЯ БІЗНЕСОМ НА ЗАСАДАХ СТАЛОГО РОЗВИТКУ

Updates of the global concept of sustainable development and the spread of its principles among business organizations have led to the need for changes in management systems. The management's response to the trends of increasing business sustainability manifested itself in the practice of social responsibility, which has become widespread among the world's leading companies. The research is dedicated to studying modern formats of the manifestation of socially responsible management based on implementing social values of sustainable development in practical activities. The key differences between different forms of social responsibility of business are analyzed. Among such forms, the following were highlighted: corporate social responsibility (CSR), socially responsible business (SRB), three-sector partnerships (TSP), and charitable corporations. The system of values that become decisive for constructing sustainable management systems at the enterprise is defined. The following are separated among such values: economic, ecological, and moral values. It was determined that their totality should become the basis for making sustainable management decisions for the organization. Management based on sustainable development is proposed to be considered from the standpoint of a systematic, structured approach to the integration of social, economic, and ethical values of the existence and development of the company in the process of making managerial decisions to ensure the long-term viability and social responsibility of business. The research identifies key features of sustainable management, including risk management tools, the ability to maximize long-term value, a blend of financial and non-financial goals, and a high level of corporate management culture. It also studies the main characteristics of sustainable development management within the context of value chain creation, such as purchasing and supply sources, logistics and transport management, increased business transparency and openness, and enhanced data analytics and performance monitoring. The study also examines current international standards of business social responsibility and proposes a phased approach to management decision-making that supports the processes of sustainable business development. The research highlights the significant benefits of management based on the principles of sustainable development, including risk optimization, branding, and compliance with sustainable development standards.

ФОРМУВАННЯ СИСТЕМИ УПРАВЛІННЯ БІЗНЕСОМ НА ЗАСАДАХ СТАЛОГО РОЗВИТКУ

Updates of the global concept of sustainable development and the spread of its principles among business organizations have led to the need for changes in management systems. The management's response to the trends of increasing business sustainability manifested itself in the practice of social responsibility, which has become widespread among the world's leading companies. The research is dedicated to studying modern formats of the manifestation of socially responsible management based on implementing social values of sustainable development in practical activities. The key differences between different forms of social responsibility of business are analyzed. Among such forms, the following were highlighted: corporate social responsibility (CSR), socially responsible business (SRB), three-sector partnerships (TSP), and charitable corporations. The system of values that become decisive for constructing sustainable management systems at the enterprise is defined. The following are separated among such values: economic, ecological, and moral values. It was determined that their totality should become the basis for making sustainable management decisions for the organization. Management based on sustainable development is proposed to be considered from the standpoint of a systematic, structured approach to the integration of social, economic, and ethical values of the existence and development of the company in the process of making managerial decisions to ensure the long-term viability and social responsibility of business. The research identifies key features of sustainable management, including risk management tools, the ability to maximize long-term value, a blend of financial and non-financial goals, and a high level of corporate management culture. It also studies the main characteristics of sustainable development management within the context of value chain creation, such as purchasing and supply sources, logistics and transport management, increased business transparency and openness, and enhanced data analytics and performance monitoring. The study also examines current international standards of business social responsibility and proposes a phased approach to management decision-making that supports the processes of sustainable business development. The research highlights the significant benefits of management based on the principles of sustainable development, including risk optimization, branding, and compliance with sustainable development standards.

Нові підходи до оплати праці державних службовців в Україні

Нові підходи до оплати праці державних службовців в Україні

Use of digital evidence in criminal process: some issues of right to privacy protection

The rapid development of digital technologies makes life easier in many ways. One of these advantages is the ability to use digital evidence in criminal proceedings. At the same time, this gives rise to new challenges in protecting the right to privacy, since digital evidence often contains a large amount of personal information. Thus, the author of the article aims at exploring the issues of balance between the use of digital evidence in criminal justice and the protection of the right to privacy.
 The research methodology includes an analysis of scientific publications, current legal provisions, case law, and international standards. The author of the article emphasizes that, on the one hand, the legislation operates with the concept of “digital evidence” and emphasizes the possibility of its use. On the other hand, the norms of international law and Ukrainian legislation determine the need to respect the right of every person to privacy. This raises the issue of combining these two phenomena.
 An analysis of the ECtHR case law has shown that this issue is important. The Court does not consider digital evidence, the acquisition of which has led to a violation of the right to privacy, to be legitimate. Based on the analysis of the case law, the author emphasizes the critical importance of the right to privacy as a basic human right that should be upheld even during a criminal investigation.
 The results indicate the need for clear legislative regulation of the use of digital evidence, ensuring its proportionality, and the need to take into account the right to privacy as a fundamental right. The conclusions of the article emphasize the importance of international standards and case law in shaping approaches to the use of digital evidence, with a particular focus on the protection of the right to privacy in the context of criminal justice. The author also proposes a number of approaches that can ensure the lawful and appropriate use of digital evidence.

Two-dimensional Mo catalysts supported on the external surface of planar Silicalite-1 zeolite for biodiesel production from waste cooking soybean oil: Transesterification experiment and kinetics

Customized and two-dimensional Mo catalyst supported on external surface of planar Silicalite-1 (Mo/S-1-p) zeolite was prepared for efficient transesterification of waste cooking soybean oil (WCSO) to produce biodiesel. Structural characteristics show the framework structure of Mo/S-1-p was almost unchanged by introducing different Mo-loading, and the Mo6+ oxide species were only well dispersed on the outer surface of Mo/S-1-p with low Mo-loading, but the aggregation of bulky MoO3 were detected under the high Mo-loading above 5 %. Furthermore, the 5Mo/S-1-p catalyst showed a good performance and stability, which exhibited the WCSO conversion of 80.73 % and biodiesel selectivity of 99.32 %. Additionally, the intrinsic kinetics of the transesterification of WCSO catalyzed by 5Mo/S-1-p catalyst was studied after eliminating mass transfer diffusion. The corresponding kinetic equation was established through the correlation of the initial rate and the reactant concentration, and the apparent Ea was calculated to be 48.03 kJ mol−1. Finally, the fuel properties of the as-synthesized biodiesel are matched with the current international standards. This research provides a beneficial technology for the synthesis of green and inexpensive sustainable fuel.

EXPERIMENTAL STUDY OF SAMPLES MANUFACTURED FROM CRUSHED POLYMER WASTE ON A 3D PRINTER WITH A SCREW EXTRUDER

The article conducts an experimental study of samples made from crushed polymer waste on a 3D printer with a screw extruder. General information about the experimental study is given. An analysis of literary sources on the study of mechanical properties of products manufactured by FDM technology on 3D printers was carried out. Two 3D printers were chosen for the production of experimental prototypes, one of which prints with filament, the other with granules or crushed polymer waste. The equipment for determining the accuracy of printed samples has been selected. The measuring part of the tearing machine for taking tensile diagrams of polymer samples has been improved. A strain gauge for force measurement and an optical encoder for displacement measurement are installed in it. A digital electronic system for data collection from sensors based on the Arduino Uno microcontroller was developed. Software for experimental data processing was created. The general view of the experimental setup is given. It is proposed to use uniaxial tension to evaluate the mechanical characteristics of the test samples printed on a 3D printer. Current international standards for tensile testing of plastics are described. To determine the mechanical tensile characteristics, samples in the shape of a blade were made from polymer materials ABS and TPU. The parameters for printing test samples made from these materials are set. With the use of the developed installation, the failure diagrams of samples (blades) made of crushed polymer waste and filament of ABS and TPU plastics with different amounts of internal filling were obtained. In the form of tables, the values of the mechanical characteristics of the samples produced by the 3D printing method from ABS and TPU polymers with different internal filling obtained during the uniaxial tensile test are presented. A photo of the places of breakage of ABS plastic blades, taken using a digital camera, is given. An analysis of the structure of the samples was carried out on them. Experimental test samples were made using two 3D printers to determine the accuracy of 3D printing. Measurements were made in different planes of the test cube using a digital electronic caliper. The obtained results were compared with the created model. Ways to improve print accuracy are described.

Front-of-Pack Nutrition Labelling: are Health Policy Decisions Reconcilable with the WTO Disciplines?

Over the past decade, States have increasingly used various forms of front-of-pack nutrition labelling to prevent the proliferation of obesity and related non-communicable chronic diseases. Some forms of front-of-pack nutrition labelling highlight increased amounts of certain nutrients in foods and are mandatory for compliance. The growing popularity of such measures raises serious concerns amongst the Members of the World Trade Organization, since, to date, no position has been formed on the conformity of such labelling with the core disciplines of the WTO. This article attempts to reach that understanding and to suggest how national legislators may adjust their labelling initiatives so as to bring them in line with the WTO Agreement on Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT Agreement). Section 1 the paper analyses Art. 2.1 of the TBT Agreement (principle of non-discrimination) and concludes that the legislator should take into account all dietary options in order to avoid discriminati on against certain types of foods. Unpackaged goods should also be covered by regulatory interventions, since by nutritional composition they are similar to pre-packaged foods. Section 2 looks at Art. 2.2 of the TBT Agreement (principle of necessity) and summarises that the adopting Member has to be cautious when setting the goals of the labelling measure, since demonstration of its necessity would further require to separately establish what contribution to any of the stated objectives the measure makes. Moreover, the WTO Member must determine how labelling schemes discourage consumption of various nutrients. Otherwise, there may be a problem in demonstrating the expected regulatory results. The anticipated contribution of front-of-pack labelling could be enhanced by creating a supporting environment of regulatory interventions. Section 3 focuses on Arts. 2.4 and 2.5 of the TBT Agreement (harmonisation principle) and concludes that current international standards recognize the relevance and authority of regional studies, including those examining dietary patterns of locals. Nonetheless, this does not exempt the WTO Members from the need to provide a scientific justification for how the measure relates to the consumption of particular foods and nutrients.

Analytical and experimental shear evaluation of GFRP-reinforced concrete beams

Reinforced Concrete (RC) technology is advancing towards new frontiers enhancing its sustainability and durability through innovative materials. In particular, the application of Glass Fiber Reinforced Polymer (GFRP) bars, in lieu of steel reinforcement, shows excellent performance, especially in aggressive environments. Nevertheless, current international design guidelines and standards tend to be rather conservative, especially concerning shear reinforcement. This element hinders the technology’s competitiveness, not only in terms of material consumption but also in construction efficiency. This research aims to conduct an analytical comparison and experimental validation of the formulations found in some international standards pertaining to shear capacity in a specific case. The focus is on scenarios involving reduced shear reinforcement and cases where the number of stirrups falls below the minimum recommended by these standards. In the sample beam tests, two distinct flexural GFRP reinforcement ratios were employed to evaluate their influence on shear capacity, leading to diverse failure mechanisms: rupture of longitudinal GFRP bars and concrete crushing. The experimental results were used to compare the North American ACI, French AFGC, and Italian CNR shear capacity design approaches in the case of reduced transversal reinforced ratio. Analytical capacity expressions of the standards above are discussed with some remarks aiming at structural optimization.

Determination of wind load using wind tunnel test for building design in Vietnam

Buildings in Vietnam are increasingly tall and complex in shape, so it is not feasible to apply current Vietnamese and international wind standards in many cases. The wind tunnel test is a modern and increasingly applied method to determine wind loads for design work in Vietnam. In addition, this test has many meanings in improving design quality and reducing construction costs because the wind load determined by this method is usually about 20% to 30% smaller than the load when determined by the standard. This paper presents the results of applying wind tunnel test over the past 10 years at the Vietnam Institute of Building Science and Technology.

Hybrid Deep Morpho-Temporal Framework for Oscillometric Blood Pressure Measurement.

Oscillometric blood pressure (BP) measurement devices are widely utilized as the primary automated BP measurement tools in non-specialist environments. However, their accuracy and reliability vary under different settings and for different age groups and health conditions. An essential constraint of current oscillometric BP measurement devices is their analysis algorithms' incapacity to capture the BP information encoded in the pattern of recorded oscillometric pulses to its fullest extent. In this paper, we propose a new 2D oscillometric data representation that enables a full characterization of arterial system and empowers the application of deep learning to extract the most informative features correlated with BP. A hybrid convolutional-recurrent neural network was developed to capture the oscillometric pulses morphological information as well as their temporal evolution over the cuff deflation period from the 2D structure, and estimate BP. The performance of the proposed method was verified on three oscillometric databases collected from the wrist and upper arms of 245 individuals. It was found that it achieves a mean error and a standard deviation of error of as low as 0.08 mmHg and 2.4 mmHg in the estimation of systolic BP, and 0.04 mmHg and 2.2 mmHg in the estimation of diastolic BP, respectively. Our proposed method outperformed the state-of-the-art techniques and satisfied the current international standards for BP monitors by a wide margin. The proposed method shows promise toward robust and objective BP estimation in a variety of patients and monitoring situations.

Characterization of tannin extracted from Aningeria altissima bark and formulation of bioresins for the manufacture of Triumfetta cordifolia needle-punched nonwovens fiberboards: Novel green composite panels for sustainability

The new Aningeria altissima tannins extracted from ground bark were characterized by ATR-FT MIR and MALDI-ToF spectrometry. The tannin extracts were found to contain flavonoids and glucose, with a strong predominance of chalcone and gallocatechingallate monomers typical of condensed tannin proanthocyanidins. Two different formulations of resins bio-cured with hexamine and exudates from the Vachellia nilotica tree were analyzed (gel time, TMA and ATG) and used to manufacture biocomposite panels of carded-needled non-woven fibers of Triumfetta cordifolia (TC) natural fibers. The new biocomposites bonded with extracted Aningeria altissima tannin showed high water sensitivity, exceeding EN 622–5. The incorporation of TC fibers increased the thermal degradation temperature of biocomposites and improved their thermal stability. The mechanical properties of both biocomposites are high in the weft direction, which is favored by the preferential orientation of the fibers in this direction. In particular, the high flexural strength and flexural modulus are good enough to meet the specifications of current international standards for fiberboards used in dry conditions. The biocomposite with the optimum properties was obtained from fibers bonded with hexamine-cured tannin resin.