Special Regime Research Articles

A Fast and Strong Microactuator Powered by Internal Combustion of Hydrogen and Oxygen

AbstractThe development of fast and strong microactuators that can be integrated in microdevices is an essential challenge due to a lack of appropriate driving principles. A membrane actuator powered by internal combustion of hydrogen and oxygen in a chamber with a volume of 3.1 nanoliters is demonstrated. The combustion in such a small volume is possible only for an extremely high surface‐to‐volume ratio on the order of 107 m−1. The fuel with this ratio is prepared electrochemically in a special regime that produces only nanobubbles. A cloud of nanobubbles merges, forming a microbubble, which explodes, increasing the volume 500× in 10 µs. The actuator generates an instantaneous force up to 0.5 N and is able to move bodies 11 000× more massive than itself. The natural response time of ≈10 ms is defined by the incubation time needed to produce an exploding bubble. The device demonstrates reliable cyclic actuation at a frequency of 1 Hz restricted by the effect of electrolyte aging. After 40 000 explosions, no significant wear in the chamber is observed. Due to a record‐breaking acceleration and standard microfabrication techniques, the actuator can be used as a universal engine for various microdevices including microelectromechanical systems, microfluidics, microrobotics, wearable and implantable devices.

The Regime of Enclosed or Semi-Enclosed Seas with Special Regard for the Mediterranean Sea

Abstract unclos Part xi, relating to “enclosed or semi-enclosed” seas, is composed of only two provisions. Art. 122 provides for a definition that lends itself to some perplexities from the logical and terminological point of view. Art. 123 invites the States bordering such seas to coordinate their activities in certain subject matters, namely fisheries, protection of the marine environment and scientific research. In fact, Art. 123 invites bordering States to do something that, in most cases, is already mandatory under other unclos provisions. The poor substantive content of Part ix may be explained considering that it is a compromise result between the position of those States that proposed a special regime for enclosed or semi-enclosed seas and those that preferred to avoid the creation of a new category of seas. While the purpose of Art. 123 is only “promotional”, States bordering some enclosed or semi-enclosed seas have already put in place various forms of regional co-operation. This is the case of cooperation established in the Mediterranean Sea in the fields of protection of the environment (so-called Barcelona Convention system and accobams) and fisheries (General Fisheries Commission for the Mediterranean). Gaps remain in other fields, such as the protection of underwater cultural heritage, and some questions relating to navigation in certain environmentally sensitive areas still need to be addressed at the world level.

Characterisation of Fe, Cr and Al behaviour at the interface during diffusion bonding of ODS/Al couple

Abstract Diffusion bonding of oxide dispersion strengthened ferritic steel PM2000 1.2 mm thickness plates sandwiched by aluminium foils was carried out. This joining was achieved under laboratory air at temperatures less than 660 °C by simultaneously applying heat and sufficient compression of about 210 MPa to give a high level of plastic deformation to the Al interlayer. The resulting microstructures and phases at the interface were characterised using scanning and transmission electron microscopy and microanalyses. The formation of intermetallic phase type FeAl was detected close to the interface and the FeAl3 further away on the aluminium side. The bonded samples were heat treated under a special regime and bend tested. In the treated samples Fe–Cr compounds were noticed. The corrosion study of the heat-treated samples in laboratory air at 950 °C demonstrated a high temperature corrosion resistance.

"Special Regime - Galapagos islands" analysis of the electricity and public lighting service: Current status

This article presents the impact of applying the electricity sector and public lighting policies in the Galapagos Islands, focused on a framework that addresses six issues: legislation, demand, financial, technologies, environmental, and international commitments. The installed power capacity in 2022 was 31.55 MW, 23.04 % from renewable sources. By 2027, the power generation is expected to be 57.62 MW with 56 % renewable sources, without a short-term plan to comply with the "Zero fossil fuels" policy. The electrical system is isolated from the continent, and some policies analyzed can serve as a reference to implement changes in similar systems.

Modalities of dismissal in Serbia

The development of any legal institute, as well as the valid form of such an institute, largely depends on the state itself, that is, on its state and social organization, culture, tradition and history. Same can be said about dismissal. In this paper, therefore, various modalities of dismissal in Serbia will be presenteed, both through the eyes of the Labour law, as the main law in the field of labour relations, but also through the practice of Serbian courts. However, the paper will be limited to the issue of dismissal within the sphere of general employment regime, thus leaving out the specifities of special regimes.

Инновационный потенциал регионов арктической зоны Российской Федерации: состояние и пространственная дифференциация

The article considers the components of the innovation potential of Russian regions that are fully or partially included in the Arctic zone. The purpose of the article is to analyze and evaluate the state and dynamics of innovative development of the regions of the Arctic zone of the Russian Federation. The methodology for calculating the composite index of innovative development is proposed. The calculations are made on the basis of the database formed by the authors, which consists of four blocks; the main conclusions on the blocks are formed. According to the composite index for the period 20152021, the leading positions are occupied by the Krasnoyarsk Krai, the Arkhangelsk Oblast and the Komi Republic, and the Republics of Karelia, Sakha (Yakutia) and Komi in terms of the index growth rate. The study of the state, dynamics and level of innovation development in the regions of the AZRF shows that some components of innovation potential are unevenly developed in the regions that are fully or partially included in the AZRF. At the same time, the regions differ in the dynamics of innovative development. Thus, the worst indicators of innovative development in accordance with the proposed methodology are observed in the Arkhangelsk Oblast, Chukotka and Nenets Autonomous okrugs. The high correlation between the composite index of innovative development and indicators of socio-economic development of the regions revealed by the authors characterizes the positive impact of innovation activity on the socio-economic development of the AZRF subjects. In this regard, the key recommendations are the following: improvement of legislative support for the formation of eco-industrial, tourist zones, innovation sites and cluster formations in the Arctic territory within the framework of testing new formats of economic intensification of the Russian Arctic regions; formation of a macro-regional register of suppliers of innovative products for the projects of residents of the AZRF with the distribution of preferential measures of a special economic and administrative regime. The prospects of the research are related to the study of critical vulnerabilities in the production and technological processes of the sectors of specialization of the Arctic regions in import substitution.

RETROSPECTIVE ASSESSMENT OF THE PRACTICE OF IMPLEMENTING THE STATE OF EMERGENCY IN RUSSIA WITH PROPOSALS FOR IMPROVING ITS LEGAL RATIONALITY

The article considers the problem of improving the special legal regime of the state of emergency. As a solution to this problem it is proposed to change a number of articles of the Federal Constitutional Law of the Russian Federation No. 3 of May 31, 2021.

Проблематика характера взаимной связи налогов и специальных налоговых режимов: к вопросу определения правовой природы и сущности

The need to improve existing and develop new special tax regimes determines the need to study the issues of the legal nature and essence of such, their correlation and (or) connection with other tax and legal phenomena (primarily taxes). The aim of this article is to determine the nature of the mutual relationship between taxes and special tax regimes (including addressing the issue of the correctness and scientific permissibility of direct comparison of general, special, and preferential tax regimes). The research was conducted relying on the formal-legal method supplemented by the systemic method. The lack of unified normative and doctrinal positions highlights the pressing need for further scholarly inquiry into this subject matter. Moreover, the author’s assertion regarding the inadmissibility of equating taxes and special tax regimes is compellingly substantiated, emphasizing the distinctiveness of the latter as a tax and legal phenomenon of higher organizational complexity. Special tax regimes, as elucidated, transcend mere tax obligations or mandatory payments, warranting careful consideration and refinement in future tax policy and legal frameworks. This nuanced understanding is essential for fostering effective governance and equitable taxation practices in modern societies.

Понятие территории с особым статусом для целей налогово-правового регулирования

The article aims to explore the concept of territories with special status for tax and legal regulation purposes, focusing on their definition, types, and common features. It examines the methodologies used to identify and classify these territories and provides insights into their role in achieving strategic state objectives. Currently, there is no legislatively fixed general concept for these territories, nor are there theoretical developments elucidating this topic through various types of territories with special status, including their taxation aspects, which would allow for a universal approach to legal regulation in this sphere. The aim of this article is to define the content and types of territories with special status applicable for tax and legal regulation purposes. The research methodology includes deductive, inductive, comparative, and formal-legal methods. The author formulates the definition of territories with special status by identifying the characteristics of territories possessing a special legal regime of operation most commonly associated with the examined concept by scientists. Additionally, various types of other territories fitting this definition are determined. The author comes to the conclusion that territories with special status are diverse, created for different directions of state policy. However, they also share many common features, allowing for the formulation of a universal definition of territories with special status, including for tax and legal regulation purposes, and subsequently identifying types of territories falling under this definition.

Agricultural manufacturers taxation in the context of food security: environmental and economic aspects

The article examines the state, problems and prospects of taxation of agricultural producers. An analysis of the structural elements of the tax policy was carried out. The tax burden is calculated in relation to net profit, the area of agricultural land and arable land. The shortcomings of special regimes of taxation of domestic agricultural enterprises are identified. Directions for improving the mechanism of taxation of agricultural producers have been developed. The functioning of agricultural producers should provide for various state supports in the fiscal sphere, including the provision of certain tax benefits. The relationship between the taxation of agricultural enterprises and the effectiveness of their activities in the context of ensuring the food security of the State, as well as the environmental aspects of taxation, in particular the impact of taxation on the stimulation of environmentally friendly production and the use of land resources, have been studied. Recommendations have been made on improving the taxation system of agricultural commodity producers in order to increase food security and preserve ecological stability. The authors analyzed tax rates, benefits and burdens related to agricultural enterprises, which affect their financial situation and development. The article highlights the main aspects that determine the taxation of agricultural producers, and also takes into account modern trends and prospects in this area. The study helps to understand the complex aspects of taxation that affect agriculture, and also highlights possible ways to optimize the tax burden to support the sustainable development of the agricultural sector and draws attention to possible strategies for optimizing tax payments for agricultural producers aimed at increasing their competitiveness and sustainability in changing conditions market. Effective management of agribusiness is possible only under the condition of stability and predictability of tax legislation, which ensures the optimal tax burden on enterprises. The specificity of the agricultural sector requires special approaches to the taxation of business entities in this sector of the economy. Therefore, the problem of forming an effective system of taxation of the activities of entrepreneurial structures in the agrarian sector of the economy, including in order to ensure the appropriate level of food security of the state, is becoming actualized. Such measures consist in creating a favorable tax environment that promotes the development of the agricultural sector, increasing its production potential and increasing its contribution to the country’s economy.

Роль природоохранного паспорта в оценке уровня экологизации хозяйственной деятельности

The article presents the theoretical foundations, methodological peculiarities and practical experience of organizing ecological certification in Russia. It examines the key documents regulating its implementation and draws on legislative and normative-legal documents, scientific publications, and information and statistical data from various official regional sources. Despite being voluntary in the Russian legal framework, ecological certification is mandatory for certain organizations. For instance, the Rules for the Organization of Tourism and Recreation in the Central Ecological Zone of the Baikal Natural Territory prescribe that accommodation facilities within it must provide environmental passports to relevant authorities. A provisional structure of such a document is provided. It is revealed that it can be utilized to assess the level of greening of economic activities of tourist enterprises, including those located in territories with special regimes of nature management. Moving forward, efforts to enhance the implementation of environmental passportization should focus on strengthening regulatory mechanisms, enhancing institutional capacity, and fostering multi-stakeholder collaboration. Through concerted action, Russia can advance its environmental agenda and contribute to global efforts to achieve sustainability and biodiversity conservation.

Formation of Abnormal Gas-Geochemical Fields and Dissolved Gases Transport at the Shallow Northeastern Shelf of Sakhalin Island in Warm Season: Expedition Data and Remote Sensing

Our paper deals with gas-geochemical measurements of CH4 and CO2, as well as the first measurements of dissolved H2 and He in the waters of the eastern shelf of Sakhalin Island, obtained during cruise 68 on the R/V Akademik Oparin (OP68) on 12–18 August 2023. The shallow eastern shelf has high concentrations of dissolved methane and helium in the water. The combined anomalies of methane and helium indicate the presence of an ascending deep fluid. The sources of methane in the studied area are the underlying oil- and gas-bearing rocks extending to the coast of the island. The deep faults of the region and the minor discontinuities that accompany them along the eastern coast of Sakhalin Island create a fluid-permeable geological environment both on the shallow shelf and on the coastal part of the island. East Sakhalin current and counter-current influence gases that migrate from lithospheric sources; these currents form a special hydrological regime that ensures high solubility of the gases released and their transfer under the lower boundary of the seasonal pycnocline to the east, where they are involved in the general circulation of the Sea of Okhotsk.

Regarding the relevance of banning regular parliamentary elections in Ukraine during martial law

The article is devoted to the controversial issue in Ukraine of the legislative ban on regular parliamentary elections during the period of the special legal regime of martial law. The content of this discussion is disclosed. In order to confirm or refute the hypothesis about the fallacy of the legislative ban on holding regular parliamentary elections in Ukraine under martial law, the international experience of the COVID-19 pandemic was studied. This is a new international experience for this discussion. It was found out that in the conditions of an emergency situation of threats to the lives of citizens during this global epidemic, the states did not prohibit the holding of elections, but on the contrary, held these elections or postponed the date of these elections, postponed the holding of these elections, etc. From which it was concluded that in international legal practice, the concept of banning elections and the concept of postponement of elections are not the same: a legislative ban on elections is a legislative ban on elections, and the postponement of the planned election date is not a legislative ban on elections. In view of this conclusion, clarification of the subject of this discussion is proposed. It is noted that this discussion is currently being conducted between whether or not the Constitution of Ukraine prohibits the holding of regular parliamentary elections under martial law. And from the point of view of the experience of the pandemic-2020, this discussion should be legally accurate between the banning of these elections and the postponement of these elections in the Constitution of Ukraine. The importance of this clarification for the resolution of this debate, as well as for the legislative provision of the future post-war parliamentary elections, is emphasized. A significant difference in the legislative support for these upcoming parliamentary elections was revealed, depending on whether the regular parliamentary elections were prohibited by the Constitution of Ukraine during martial law, or not prohibited, but postponed. Each of these options has been analyzed. It has been clarified that in the event of the postponement of the regular parliamentary elections during the period of martial law, the future first post-war parliamentary elections will be the same regular elections of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine of the tenth convocation, which should have been held on October 29, 2023. And in the case of a ban on holding these elections under during martial law, there is legal uncertainty regarding the type of these first parliamentary elections after martial law: they will be neither regular nor extraordinary, but they will be unknown. As a conclusion, the importance of continuing this debate around the newly refined dilemma between the banning of these elections and the postponement of these elections is stated. The importance of continuing to study relevant international experience is especially emphasized.

The Proliferation of Special Regimes and the Unity of the International Legal System

AbstractInternational law is becoming increasingly more specialized and diversified. In response to these developments, international lawyers now widely refer to international investment law, European human rights law and many other branches as ‘special regimes’. Scholars in the field see the proliferation of special regimes as a threat to the unity of the international legal system. In so doing, they are applying the traditional definition of a special regime as a collection of norms. This article encourages readers to conceive instead of a special regime as a community of practice—as an activity structured around the normative presuppositions of the people and institutions that participate in it. This new understanding, the article argues, is compatible with all predominant theories of law. When you adopt it, importantly, the proliferation of special regimes does not have the disintegrating effect that many scholars believe it to have.

Overhaul of Dutch Special Regime for Inbound Expats

This note describes the significant changes made to the special regime for inbound expats in the Netherlands, which became effective 1 January 2024, and further changes adopted that will take effect 1 January 2025.

A Ouvidoria como Manifestação da Transparência Passiva nos Regimes Próprios de Previdência dos Municípios Fluminenses

We identify how the Special Social Security Regime (RPPS) Ombudsman of municipalities of Rio de Janeiro State falls under the level I certification of the RPPS Pro-Management Program, in the indicator related to the Ombudsman; a tool to promote the democratic participation of citizens through passive transparency. The relevance of this study stems from the fact that the RPPS are in charge of managing a substantial number of resources, having managed around 157 billion Reais in investments for their respective insureds in 2020 (SPREV, 2021). Through documental analysis performed on the websites of the Rio de Janeiro RPPS and their respective federative entities, we concluded that among the 92 municipalities in the State, only 79 have RPPS. Furthermore, 54.4% of municipalities have a communication channel in the RPPS, while 43.1% have it available through the Federal Entity to which they are linked, and 2.5% have no such communication channel. Thus, we state that most RPPS has given due importance to the RPPS Pro-Management Manual, specifically regarding the accomplishment of the goal of providing more transparency to the relationship between the insured and society.

Evaluación de la duración de la baja laboral en pacientes con enfermedad inflamatoria intestinal

IntroductionInflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a chronic disorder that can lead to periods of work-related temporary disability (TD), which may result in the need for permanent disability. The objective was to assess the impact of IBD on patients’ temporary disability by analyzing periods, duration, and causes. It also investigates risk factors influencing the severity, frequency, and duration of flare-ups and associated complications in IBD patients. MethodThe study includes patients aged 18 to 65, with at least 1 day of TD in 2019 (Pre-COVID), referred or not by UMEVI, due to reasons related to IBD. ResultsA total of 172 patients were included, and in all cases, TD was associated with IBD. TD was higher in patients over 30 years old, with anxious depressive disorder, who required hospitalization and did not receive prednisone treatment (p<0.05). TD duration was longer in patients belonging to the Special Regime for Self-Employed Workers (RETA): 67 days (IQR: 22-160) versus the General Regime (RG): 33 days (IQR: 8-110), with no statistically significant difference (p=0.120). The mean cost (€) per worker in this series was €745.5 (IQR: 231-2608.2). ConclusionsIBD has a significant impact on patients’ temporary work disability. The duration of TD was longer in patients older than 30 years, with anxious-depressive disorder, who required hospital admission and did not receive steroid treatment.

The problem of institutionalization of the circle of special legal regimes of banking activities

The paper examines the institutional mechanism of formation of the legal system of banking institutions in Ukraine. The relevance of studying this issue is determined by the fact that legal regulation of banking activity is one of the most important functions of the state. It has been proven that in the conditions of martial law it is especially important to reduce the risks and problems of the institutionalization process. The purpose of the paper is to study the ways of minimizing the risks of legal actions of banks of Ukraine in the conditions of martial law. The methodology includes the solution of the research problem, the historiographical approach and the theory of risks. Systemic institutional analysis was used to solve the research task. In the main results of the study, the essence of the concept of "banking activity", the definition of a special purpose and specific goals are defined. The paper examines the introduction of a new three-tier capital structure of banks aimed at bringing the banking regulation of the National Bank of Ukraine closer to European standards. Current problems of the Ukrainian banking system were identified, in particular, the need to systematize regulation under special legal regimes. It was revealed that in the conditions of a large-scale armed invasion and the introduction of martial law in Ukraine, ensuring the reliability and stability of the banking system of Ukraine is of primary importance. The National Bank of Ukraine adopted a number of legal acts designed to regulate banking activities in wartime and create conditions for ensuring the reliable and stable functioning of the country’s financial system. The analysis of the legislation showed the need to supplement the current legislation or create a new act that will regulate banking activities under special regimes. Further research involves the determination of strategies for improving the regulation of banking activity under martial law.

Assessing the Feasibility of Establishing special Economic Zones: Geo-economic Mapping Method

The purpose of the study is to systematize factors of successful and sustainable functioning of special economic zones, as well as to develop tools to map of zones on a map of a country with the competitive advantages of individual territories identified therein in order to make recommendations for improving the zonal policy. The relevance of the study is due to the fact that in the context of global shocks, a special preferential regime, flexible governance models of special economic zones are not determinants of their successful application in order to promote national investment strategies. The geo-economic advantages of the territories within which the special economic zones operate come to the fore. Such advantages are the basis for the formation of poles of economic, commercial, industrial and innovative growth. The use of methods of theoretical (analysis, synthesis, generalization) and empirical (comparison, measurement) research allowed the authors to reveal the content of effects associated with the functioning of special zones, to highlight the problems of their measurement; to generalize the features of preferential regimes of Russia; to systematize the geo-economic factors of successful and sustainable operation of special zones. The method of geo-economic mapping was used to identify the correspondence between the competitive advantages of territories and special zones created within their borders. As a result, it is proposed to classify key geo-economic factors that determine the potential successful functioning of special zones into three groups: spatial, economic and organizational. These groups of factors, according to the authors, should be considered in terms of formation and retention of geo-economic advantages: general, caused by public management and specialized. The method of geo-economic mapping identifies regions whose special zones correspond to the level of development of the identified geo-economic advantages, as well as those whose conditions are most likely not to maximize the effect of the special zones localized in their territory. It is recommended to establish a system for monitoring the conformity of specialization of regions with the profile of special economic zones established within their borders.

Реформирование пенсионной системы для плательщиков налога на профессиональный доход: региональная платформа

The difficulties that arose after the entry into force of the Federal Law “On conducting an experiment to estab-lish a special tax regime “Tax on professional income”” dated November 27, 2018 No. 422-FZ require a com-prehensive study and modification of the legislative framework. Many citizens who pay tax on professional in-come do not make contributions to the pension insurance system, which is one of the reasons for the high sub-sidy dependence of the Social Fund of Russia on the federal budget. According to the authors, it is necessary to develop a way to attract citizens to participate in the pension insurance program. The article considers an ex-ample of a possible solution to this issue: the introduction of tax deduction for taxpayers of tax on professional income in part of the tax paid, and assesses its impact on the regional budgets of the constituent entities of the Russian Federation.