Centralized Research Articles

The legality of roads in Chile, 1842–1969: A historical overview

Currently, no academic work examines the history of the legality of roads in Chile during its independent existence as a sovereign country. Addressing this gap in the literature, this paper focuses specially on the period from 1842 to 1969, when different actors articulated a set of guiding ideas about the duties of the state and the legal powers of the administrative authority in terms of planning, construction and management of road infrastructure that would allow connectivity between population centers and across regions, according to the ideas and resources available at their historical time. This historical overview of Chilean “road law” is done in the light of insights and questions of contemporary intellectual history and institutional history. In this regard, it is argued that the evolution of road infrastructure norms and institutions during the period under study can be divided into three historical regimes, based on their fundamental legislative milestones, guiding ideas, institutional settings, and strategies of state action: from 1842 to 1887, a period of a decentralized “minimal road state” with precarious roads characterized by both material and juridical uncertainty; from 1887 to 1920, the emergence of a “proto-developmentalist road state” intent on strengthening its grip on the nationwide road infrastructure; and from 1920 to 1969, a period of a “techno-developmentalist road state” that created a nationwide paved road network for the new technology of mobile vehicles.

Internet of Things in Disaster Management

In recent years, natural failures including floods, landslides, earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, and wildfires have come to be increasingly Ubiquitous, These events, frequently worsened with of human activities like deforestation, immoderate chemical use, heavy use of gasoline production, and international warming, those problems result in sizable loss of existence and belongings damage global, fortunately, technological improvements have furnished valuable tools for know-how and mitigating the risks associated with these screws-ups. The Internet of Things (IoT), with its various competencies, has appeared as a promising solution for catastrophe management. Wi-fi sensor networks (WSNs) and IoT platforms can establish centralized facts systems to reveal environmental situations. Through sensor information evaluation, we will discover capability risks in real time. When unusual readings are detected, the device can cause signals, ship SMS messages, and make calls to exact contacts. These signals offer statistics about the threat factor, its location, and suggested movements. Using uploading actual-time statistics to cloud servers and issuing alerts through various communication channels, this machine ambitions to reinforce communities with critical data, thereby enhancing their disaster response and preparedness

High‐Resolution Thermal Sensing Using Temperature‐Sensitive Cathodoluminescence Spectroscopy in Nitrogen‐Doped Nanodiamonds

The evolution of the cathodoluminescence spectra from commercially available nanodiamonds with high density of nitrogen‐vacancy defects has been studied in a large wavelength range, from 200 to 800 nm, and temperatures from 5 to 300 K, in order to achieve a temperature probe with high spatial resolution. The full width at half maximum of the peak associated to the neutral charge state of the NV center has been found to evolve with temperature in a predictable way, although its value may vary from sample to sample. We have attributed this shift to the differences in the nanodiamonds surface chemistry.

Environmental legislation analysis improvement approach of global marine plastic pollution from the perspective of holistic system view

Marine plastic pollution (MPP) has posed an unavoidable challenge to the conservation of marine ecosystems, escalating at an unprecedented rate. It extends beyond visible pollution, infiltrating the food chain and microcirculation, ultimately affecting the life and health of marine organisms. Of even greater concern is the fact that MPP has been found to penetrate human bloodstreams. The international community increasingly focuses on MPP, and has formulated a series of laws and regulations. This article analyses marine pollution prevention legislation within the context of international environmental resolutions and conventions, including those established by the United Nations, the European Union law and the domestic legislation of sovereign states. It is evident that the current legislation has played a pivotal role in the preventing MPP. However, global legislation on preventing MPP remains fragmented. The problems existing in the current legislation should be reviewed from the holistic systems perspective, and the integrity and systematicness of new plastics convention should be demonstrated. The proposed Marine Plastics Convention should emphasize environmental justice, protect the rights of vulnerable populations, lower the threshold for risk prevention, and focus on addressing residual risks. It must include clear provisions for regulating hydrosphere plastic pollution (HPP) to mitigate land-based pollution and scientifically define fundamental legal concepts to foster coordinated action among States. Moreover, the convention should establish standardized monitoring methodologies and assessment criteria to ensure accurate evaluation of the pollution status.

Physical Patrol and Border Security Management at the Namanga One Stop Boarder Post, Kenya

Border administration encompasses all legal and administrative measures a sovereign state implements to secure, protect, and strengthen the sovereignty, security, safety, and integrity of its territory. Consequently, it is essential to any national migration strategy. The border administration policies emphasize the necessity for all participants in border management to be engaged to enhance the effectiveness of border operations. Security measures are normally enhanced along the border posts to improve on the national security of a given country by preventing entrance of terrorists, illegal goods and human trafficking. These security measures ensure safety at the border. The primary objective was to evaluate the effects of physical patrol on border security management at the Namanga one stop boarder post, Kenya. A descriptive survey research design was utilized. The population comprised of the employees at the Namanga OSBP, including police officers, customs officials, immigration officers, and National Intelligence Service employees, among others. The research used stratified random sampling. The data was collected via the use of questionnaires. Data analysis was done with the help of SPSS and then presented using tables, percentages, graphs and pie charts. This study found out that border security is complex and it requires various interventions, which entails a combination of technology and human security personnel for effective operations. In regard to objective one, the researcher finds that physical patrol emerges as a fundamental border security management measure, and is considered essential in enhancing security at the border point by minimizing insecurity incidents and eliminating potential of border security breaches. Based on the findings, this study concluded that various security measures, including physical patrols, integrated scanning, and electronic monitoring, are essential in the management of border security and in enhancing services. A major recommendation of the study is to promote greater multi-agency and multi-stakeholder collaboration as a means of detaining individuals attempting to enter a country illegally and effectively seizing any contraband goods. This necessitates more efficient border patrols and surveillance strategies.

Exploring Savico’s journey: dynamic capabilities and Industry 4.0 integration in organisation–industry actor relationships

PurposeThe purpose of the study is to enhance the extant empirical and conceptual understanding of Industry 4.0 (I4.0) adoption and its repercussions for an organisation operating in an emerging economy, considering the dynamic capabilities framework. The study investigates (1) the potential impact of the I4.0 phenomenon on relationships between organisations and industry actors, (2) the existing effects of I4.0 on these relationships and (3) the necessary measures for organisations to unlock the full potential of I4.0 in order to enhance and reinforce these relationships.Design/methodology/approachA qualitative method was used. Semi-structured, open-ended face-to-face and online interviews were conducted with 18 directors, managers and chief executive officers (CEOs) of Savico, a leading Vietnamese car dealership.FindingsThe analysis revealed various dimensions highlighting impacts on organisation–industry actor relationships. For instance, the “enhancing internal/external operations” dimension highlights the significance of benefitting the company’s close stakeholders through a centralised management system or more advanced functions, while the empowering-nimble outcomes dimension underlines the benefits of I4.0 in enabling performance-based choices and staff empowerment.Practical implicationsTechnological phenomena such as the I4.0 regime require constant adaptive strategies, including knowledge acquisition and talent development. Thus, the study has implications for industry stakeholders, including companies, educational institutions and government agencies.Originality/valueThe study’s key value lies in proposing a model that provides conceptual depth into organisation–industry actor relationships. Furthermore, both the analysis and the model can guide researchers in future attempts to examine dynamic capabilities among firms operating in emerging economies, with important practical and theoretical implications.

Islands, archipelagos and water: Insights from New Guinea

Abstract New Guinea is the world’s second largest island (land area: 785,753 km2), divided politically between the easternmost provinces of Indonesia and the sovereign state of Papua New Guinea. It affords a unique case study of how the alignment of statehood and territory is particularly nuanced by islandness, archipelagicity and the fluid indeterminacy of water. Based on a global review of relevant but niche ‘island studies’ literature, this paper argues that different protocols and practices treat islands, singly or collectively, in different ways, either pulling them closer or pushing them further away from the territorialisation regime that was catapulted by the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea in the late twentieth century.

B cell expression of the enzyme PexRAP, an intermediary in ether lipid biosynthesis, promotes antibody responses and germinal center size.

The qualities of antibody (Ab) responses provided by B lymphocytes and their plasma cell (PC) descendants are crucial facets of responses to vaccines and microbes. Metabolic processes and products regulate aspects of B cell proliferation and differentiation into germinal center (GC) and PC states as well as Ab diversification. However, there is little information about lymphoid cell-intrinsic functions of enzymes that mediate ether lipid biosynthesis, including a major class of membrane phospholipids. Imaging mass spectrometry (IMS) results had indicated that concentrations of a number of these phospholipids were substantially enhanced in GC compared to the background average in spleens. However, it was not clear if biosynthesis in B cells was a basis for this finding, or whether such cell-intrinsic biosynthesis contributes to B cell physiology or Ab responses. Ether lipid biosynthesis can involve the enzyme PexRAP, the product of the Dhrs7b gene. Using combinations of IMS and immunization experiments in mouse models with inducible Dhrs7b loss-of-function, we now show that B lineage-intrinsic expression of PexRAP promotes the magnitude and affinity maturation of a serological response. Moreover, the data revealed a Dhrs7b -dependent increase in ether phospholipids in primary follicles with a more prominent increase in GC. Mechanistically, PexRAP impacted B cell proliferation via enhanced survival associated with controlling levels of ROS and membrane peroxidation. These findings reveal a vital role of this peroxisomal enzyme in B cell homeostasis and the physiology of humoral immunity.

21st Century Geopolitical Doctrine for Bangladesh to Become a Smart Power: A Bangladeshi Perspective

After a grueling nine-month conflict with Pakistan, Bangladesh gained independence as a sovereign nation on December 16, 1971. The economically successful South Asian nation that was previously known as the "bottomless basket" has become known as a "development miracle." The country has regained geopolitical significance both within and outside the area due to its proximity to other countries and strategic location, which has been supported by astounding economic development. Bangladesh is faced with several geopolitical issues amid a changing regional and global geopolitical scene, the mitigation of which calls for prudent actions. But Bangladesh, as a contemporary geopolitical actor, lacks a wise geopolitical philosophy that could serve as a guide for dealing with those problems. This study proposes the creation of a coherent and pertinent geopolitical ideology that can help a nation achieve geopolitical graduation as a Smart Power and address current geopolitical issues shortly. Int. J. Soc. Sc. Manage. Vol. 11, Issue-4: 106-114.

Redox-Neutral, Iron-Mediated Directed C-H Activation: General Principles and Mechanistic Insights.

Experimental and computational studies have been conducted and established the general principles for enabling redox-neutral C-H activation by iron(II) complexes. The idealized octahedral iron(II) dimethyl complex, (depe)2Fe(CH3)2 (depe = 1,2-bis(diethylphosphino)ethane) promoted the directed, regioselective ortho C(sp2)-H methylation of pivalophenone. The rate of the iron(II)-mediated C(sp2)-H functionalization depended on the lability of L-type phosphine ligands, the spin state of the iron center, and the size of the X-type ligands (halide, hydrocarbyl) in P4FeIIX2 complexes. The C(sp2)-H alkylation reaction proved general among multiple substrates with directing groups including carbonyl, imines and pyridines. Among these, ketones and aldehydes were identified as optimal and were compatible with various steric environments and presence of acidic α-hydrogens. With stronger nitrogen donors, higher barriers for product-forming reductive elimination were observed. The effect of orbital hybridization on the chemoselectivity of C-H activation through a σ-CAM pathway by dn>0 transition metals was also established by studying the stoichiometric reactivity of the differentially substituted (depe)2Fe(Me)R complexes (R = alkyl, aryl), where the Fe-R bond with greater s-character preferentially promoted selective C-H activation. Deuterium labeling and kinetic studies, coupled with computational analysis, supported a pathway involving phosphine dissociation and rate-determining C-H bond activation, leading to the observed products.

Italian Libyan Relations 1951 – 1969 Eecnomic Study

This study explores the economic dimensions of Italian-Libyan relations from 1951 to 1969, a period marked by the shifting sands of post-colonial geopolitics and economic development. After Libya's independence in 1951, Italy, as a former colonial power, sought to maintain and reshape its economic ties with the newly sovereign nation. This period witnessed significant Italian investment in Libyan infrastructure, oil exploration, and trade, reflecting both countries' evolving economic priorities and strategies. The study examines key agreements, economic aid, and the impact of the oil boom on bilateral relations. By analyzing trade data, investment flows, and political agreements, the research highlights how economic considerations influenced diplomatic interactions and contributed to the broader geopolitical landscape of the region. The findings provide insights into the complexities of post-colonial economic relationships and the strategic maneuvers of a former colonial power seeking to secure its interests in a rapidly changing world.

Nepal-India Relations: Exploring the Dichotomy between 'Big Brother' and 'Brotherhood'

The historical relationship between Nepal and India is deeply rooted in their geographic proximity and shared elements such as religion, culture, language, and socio-economic interests. While Nepal borders both China and India, its closeness with India is accentuated by these shared attributes and mutual opportunities. The two countries share an open border of around 1,780 kilometers along Nepal's eastern, western, and southern regions. Despite India's larger size, population, and more advanced economic development, Nepal maintains its sovereignty and equal status as an independent nation. However, India's role is often perceived as that of a "big brother" to Nepal, reflecting the disparity in size and influence. Nonetheless, all sovereign nations, regardless of their geographic or economic differences, are regarded as equals in status. In an era defined by globalization, scientific advancements, and technological progress, Nepal aspires to build a strong relationship with India based on mutual friendship and economic cooperation, particularly through foreign investment and the exchange of technology. While occasional tensions arise, usually from the Indian side, they have not escalated into major conflicts and are unlikely to do so. It is widely understood that while friendships may fluctuate, the bond between neighbors remains constant. This article examines the various aspects and dynamics of Nepal-India relations within this context.

A Review on Secure Outsourcing and Privacy-Preserving Traffic Monitoring in Fog-Enabled VANETs

New possibilities for fog-based vehicle monitoring have emerged with the expansion of fog computing, but present privacy concerns provide a significant barrier that limits the extent to which vehicles can participate. Because of its potential to improve road network security and vehicle productivity, the field of Vehicle-based Ad hoc Networks (VANETs) is gaining prominence. The security problems with VANETs, such as data confidentiality and message access control are still need better solutions to provide better Quality of Service (QoS). The effectiveness of VANET networks is diminished due to their instability problem. Vehicles continually add requests to the Road Side Unit (RSU) queue whenever they want specific information. For ever-evolving networks like VANETs, better routing is a continual process. Fundamental problems arise in large-scale systems when centralized procedures are used to assign jobs to the nodes along a route. The present centralized system for computing and safety has many needs, including the protection of data storage, user authentication, access control, system availability across multiple network connections, and the provision of a real-time data flow overview. Distributed problem solving and work sharing between multiple agents can improve the system's scalability. This paper provides a brief survey on the secured outsourcing and privacy preservation-based traffic monitoring model with routing and task scheduling models in Fog-enabled VANETS. This survey presents the limitations of the traditional models that help the researchers design new solutions for secure outsourcing in VANETs.

Progress and challenges in structural, in situ and operando characterization of single-atom catalysts by X-ray based synchrotron radiation techniques.

Single-atom catalysts (SACs) represent the ultimate size limit of nanoscale catalysts, combining the advantages of homogeneous and heterogeneous catalysts. SACs have isolated single-atom active sites that exhibit high atomic utilization efficiency, unique catalytic activity, and selectivity. Over the past few decades, synchrotron radiation techniques have played a crucial role in studying single-atom catalysis by identifying catalyst structures and enabling the understanding of reaction mechanisms. The profound comprehension of spectroscopic techniques and characteristics pertaining to SACs is important for exploring their catalytic activity origins and devising high-performance and stable SACs for industrial applications. In this review, we provide a comprehensive overview of the recent advances in X-ray based synchrotron radiation techniques for structural characterization and in situ/operando observation of SACs under reaction conditions. We emphasize the correlation between spectral fine features and structural characteristics of SACs, along with their analytical limitations. The development of IMST with spatial and temporal resolution is also discussed along with their significance in revealing the structural characteristics and reaction mechanisms of SACs. Additionally, this review explores the study of active center states using spectral fine characteristics combined with theoretical simulations, as well as spectroscopic analysis strategies utilizing machine learning methods to address challenges posed by atomic distribution inhomogeneity in SACs while envisaging potential applications integrating artificial intelligence seamlessly with experiments for real-time monitoring of single-atom catalytic processes.

Ideal Connected Home Configurations: Insights From Expert Users

Connected Homes incorporate various digital and communication technologies that allow for control and monitoring through a centralized system, ranging from basic to advanced automation. Nevertheless, users often face issues such as interoperability and complexity which hinder the full potential of these technologies and shows the existing state of Connected Homes falls short of the ideal configurations users envision. This research seeks to narrow this gap by delving into the desires and frustrations of current Connected Home users, thus shaping a roadmap for the future development and refinement of smart home technologies. Through a series of in-depth interviews with six early adopters, we explored specific desires and criteria for an ideal connected home. The findings offer insights into various types of connected homes and how technological innovations and design improvements should be approached, considering users’ living conditions and lifestyles.

R744 Refrigeration Solution for Small Supermarkets

Application based technology solution is nowadays preferred to achieve the performance of the cooling system configuration at its best. Therefore, benchmarking is an essential criterion which would add value to the optimum system design for various applications. In this study, a case study is carried out for a Milk Bar (small supermarket) to evaluate the potential of R744 cooling system for the similar cooling demand and tropical conditions. Field data collected during a particular time and temperature zone is further used to develop a yearly round performance of the HFC plug-in cabinets for MT and LT applications. The data is further used to develop a centralized R744 booster system that would meet the similar cooling load and demand of all the cabinets in the shop. Based on the cooling loads for the HFC unit, the yearly performance of the R774 booster system is calculated and compared to the existing plug-in solution. It is observed that the yearly electric energy consumption for the R744 centralized refrigeration system is 3.3 M W·h, 24% lower than with the existing solution based on HFCs. Moreover, the economic prospective of the R744 is further discussed to alternative material for the components and centralized unit structure which could empower the system with more reliability and an effective substitute to the synthetic technology for smaller supermarkets. This article is a translation of the article by Singh S, Pardiñas ÁÁ, Hafner A, Schlemminger C, Banasiak K. R744 Refrigeration Solution for Small Supermarkets. In: Proceedings of the 9th IIR Conference on the Ammonia and CO2 Refrigeration Technologies. Ohrid: IIF/IIR, 2021. DOI: 10.18462/iir.nh3-co2.2021.0030 Published with the permission of the copyright holder.

Organizational and Legal Grounds for the Activities of the Prikaz System of Central Government in Russia (Late 15th — First Half of the 16th Century)

The paper presents an author’s analysis of the organizational and legal basis of the prikaz system that was formed in the Russian state at the end of the 15th — first half of the 16th centuries. In the period under review, the previously existing palace and patrimonial system of organs, aimed at solving the applied tasks of ensuring the management of the princely court, but assuming the presence of boyar estates, could no longer effectively respond to the challenges the state faced. There was a need for centralized state control and management bodies. Prikazes were such bodies. At the same time, the level of development of law made it possible to give both the prikaz system itself and its functioning normative features. The sources of that time not only mention certain bodies and positions, but also establish the foundations of their legal status: a place in the system of government and administration, rights, obligations, responsibility. Of course, such a consolidation, that was fundamentally different from the previous approach to this issue, at the end of the 15th — the first half of the 16th century was not systemic and comprehensive. At the same time, it is obvious that it had already taken shape. The authors considered the signs of the origin of legal regulation of both the organizational structure of prikazes and the procedure for their functioning. According to the results of the study, it is concluded that at the end of the 15th — the first half of the 16th century organizational and legal foundations of the prikaz system of the Russian state had already begun to form on the basis of key regulations of that time — the Judicial Code of 1497 and the Judicial Code of 1550. Acting under the control of the sovereign, the prikaz system acted as the core in the management of the united state. The fundamentals of the functioning of orders laid down by the legislator provided effective leadership and a systematic approach to solving domestic problems.

Effectiveness of an Infection Control Program Among the Ysleta del Sur Pueblo in Preventing COVID-19-Related Hospitalizations and Deaths.

In response to the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic, the United States declared a state of emergency and implemented large-scale shutdowns and public health initiatives to prevent overwhelming public resources. The success of these prevention methods remains unresolved as restrictions and implementation varied from national, state, and local levels. Despite national and local regulations, individual adherence to preventative guidelines presented an additional layer of variability. Cases of COVID-19 continued to rise and fall over a two-year period on a national level, despite masking recommendations, ease of testing, and availability of vaccines. The Ysleta del Sur Pueblo is a Native American tribal community and sovereign nation located in El Paso, Texas. Speaking Rock Entertainment Center is a major business operated by the tribe, employing many tribal and non-tribal members from the El Paso area. Following nationwide re-openings of non-essential businesses, Speaking Rock implemented an infection control program with strict adherence to recommendations provided by the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and additional disease control. This response would result in a fully vaccinated workforce within the wider community of El Paso, where the vaccination rate was less than 80%. Herein, we examine the efficacy of these measures and report on the success of the program resulting in zero hospitalizations or deaths compared with rates of 1 in 250 and 1 in 40, respectively, in the surrounding community.

Combining deep learning methods and rule-based systems for automatic parking space detection

This paper presents an Automatic Parking Space Detection (APSD) algorithm designed to reduce traffic in cities while offering an information system of available parking zones. The main aim of such a system lies in its ability to identify parking spaces in a distributed manner, achieved by installing multiple APSD systems across a fleet of vehicles. This fleet, during its regular operations, communicates the availability of parking spaces to a centralized information system. Our methodology employs a rule-based system that seamlessly integrates a variety of neural networks for different specific tasks. These tasks include depth estimation, road segmentation, and vehicle detection. This approach would fall into a modular category instead of an end-to-end solution, using the Málaga Urban Dataset in the experiments. We present a preliminary experiment for parameter settings and an ablation study to quantify each subsystem contribution to the results. The proposed system achieves a parking space detection F1 score of 0.726.

Safefood4eu: An interdisciplinary approach on education for sustainable agri-food systems in Europe

Foods are complex products consisting of many ingredients of diverse origins. Along the food supply chains, food products are prone to spoilage and safety issues, which could give rise to different health-related concerns and outcomes. Furthermore, the existing highly centralised food systems generate substantial greenhouse gas emissions and food waste. In order to strengthen the sustainable decentralised "farm-to-fork" food chains, a mindset shift supported by relevant education and policy initiatives is highly required. The ERASMUS+ KA220 project SafeFood4EU was conceived with a crucial mission - to develop an interdisciplinary and innovative toolbox of higher education and lifelong learning courses that reflect various aspects of sustainable agri-food systems. The thematic areas discussed within the SafeFood4EU project have covered food safety and supply chain management, sustainable food systems and design, food production and quality of raw materials, food authenticity and analysis, and digital and soft skills. The main objectives have been to develop a distinctive content package and make it available to the students via an e-learning management system. The project's results, aimed at creating a pool of young and capable experts, can significantly impact future food security, thereby increasing awareness about the future challenges regarding food systems transition, dietary shift and the next generation's food security.