Hasil untuk "Regulation of industry, trade, and commerce. Occupational law"

Nikita Osintsev, Aleksandr Rakhmangulov

<i>Background:</i> Supply chains operate under the changing influences of multiple external and internal factors. Sustainable supply chain development requires an assessment of these factors, as well as drivers and barriers. Various sustainability assessment criteria, methods, and models based on the consideration of the influence of different factors are used depending on the type and structure of the supply chain. <i>Methods:</i> The combination of DEMATEL and CRADIS multi-criteria methods is applied to rank the efficiency of drivers for achieving sustainable development goals, both for the supply chain as a whole and for each of its structural elements. <i>Results:</i> This study proposes a system of drivers for sustainable supply chain development. The peculiarity of the used supply chain model is the universality of its structure, which ensures the realization by the structural elements of the chain of all known functional areas of logistics. A framework for sustainable supply chain drivers’ multi-criteria assessment based on the use of the original two-level system of drivers’ assessment criteria is developed. <i>Conclusions:</i> The results of the supply chain sustainability drivers’ ranking and the framework developed by the authors are intended to justify decisions on the green logistics methods and instrument selection.

Mohammad Reza Hosseini , Mehdi Azizi Mehmandoost

The rapid increase in the use of artificial intelligence comes with challenges and threats. Among these challenges, we can mention the use of unethical solutions, ignoring users' privacy, security concerns related to cyber, fraud and imitation as well as discrimination and inequality. On the other hand, most artificial intelligence technologies act as black boxes and their exact functionality is not known. In this regard, there is a need to formulate rules and regulations of artificial intelligence, as a supporting framework in the design, construction and safe use of this technology. Iran is also facing these challenges; therefore, the need for legislation in the field of artificial intelligence is needed; while no law has been formulated in this field and even the legislative authority for artificial intelligence has not been specified. Therefore, in this research, by examining the laws and policies made in the field of artificial intelligence in the leading countries of the world and considering the needs of the country, suggestions are presented for legislation in the field of artificial intelligence in Iran. 1. Introduction Blockchain-based financial transactions have developed so rapidly that many countries have yet to keep pace. The relatively steady increase in cryptocurrency prices and the widespread public interest in investing in cryptocurrencies with the hope of huge financial gains, which has led to an increase in the number of cryptocurrency exchanges and the expansion of their activities, has compelled various governments, in accordance with the nature of their governance, to supervise and regulate digital currencies, especially the platforms that facilitate their transactions (cryptocurrency exchanges), regarding the legitimacy or illegitimacy of these institutions, the methods of establishment, the limits and boundaries of the activities of these entities, and their responsibility for the services they provide to their customers on these platforms, to specify and explain their legal approach. On the other hand, despite the increasing influence of these institutions at the national and international levels, due to the relatively widespread gap in the field of legal studies and domestic legislation on the subject of cryptocurrency exchanges, we have sought to study and examine the legal approach of developed countries and the first world - especially the European Union and the United States of America - towards cryptocurrency exchanges, and to compare these two legal approaches with Iranian law on this subject, and finally to provide suggestions for domestic legislators on the supervision and regulation of cryptocurrency exchanges. This research aims to examine the legal approach of developed countries and the first world (the European Union and the United States of America) regarding the establishment, activities, and legal, contractual, and civil liabilities of cryptocurrency exchanges, as well as the challenges and legal solutions of the two aforementioned legal systems with a comparative look at Iranian law, in order to ultimately, through the examination of their legal experiences and comparison of the legal approach of the two mentioned systems, provide suggestions to the Iranian legislator to improve regulation in this area. Therefore, the main research question is how the legal systems of the European Union, the United States, and Iran approach the regulation of cryptocurrency exchanges. Based on this, the sub-questions are formulated as follows: Firstly, what regulations, systems, and conditions are in place for the establishment of cryptocurrency exchanges in our selected legal systems? Secondly, what rules and regulations govern the supervision of the activities and services of these exchanges? Thirdly, how are cryptocurrency exchanges responsible to the relevant authorities and their users? More specifically, what are the criminal, administrative, contractual, and civil liabilities that these three legal systems impose on cryptocurrency exchanges? In domestic studies, despite the existence of numerous articles and books on cryptocurrency law, except for a master thesis written by Mohammad Shiri-Aatashgah in 2023 on the legal impact of centralized and decentralized exchanges on the Iranian economy with an emphasis on the economic aspect of cryptocurrency exchanges, no specific research has been conducted on the law governing cryptocurrency exchanges so far. In the studies of foreign researchers, most of the research has been on the law of cryptocurrency itself from the perspective of different countries; although there has also been research on the regulation of cryptocurrency exchanges in the laws of different countries (including Europe and America), which have rarely been comparative researches. 2. Methodology In this research, we tried to collect and gather information from primary sources (including laws, regulations, directives, bylaws, judicial decisions, etc.) and secondary sources (such as books and articles, theses, research reports, etc.) in scientific research data centers, official and reputable websites, libraries, and similar resources. From the authors' perspective, the title of the research suggests that first, the legal arrangements for establishing cryptocurrency exchanges in each legal system should be addressed, and secondly, the framework for activities and service provision in the selected countries should be explored. The logical order of the research requires the types of liabilities and guarantees in case the exchanges deviate from the regulations of activity in these countries; therefore, the legal study of the regulation of cryptocurrency exchanges in the European Union, the United States, and Iran in these areas has been considered, which is organized under three main titles; the first main title is the area of the establishment, the second main title is the legal framework for the activities of exchanges, and the third main title is the types of liabilities of these exchanges, which include criminal, administrative, contractual, and civil liabilities. 3. Results and Discussion In the European Union, with the adoption of numerous directives, we witness a precise, comprehensive, and well-considered legal system regarding cryptocurrency exchanges, particularly in terms of licensing, customer identification, combating money laundering and terrorist financing, and how exchanges operate while identifying and categorizing the types of services they can provide. In the United States, the laws and regulations governing cryptocurrency exchanges are generally developed and implemented at both the federal and state levels; at the federal level, the main agencies generally view cryptocurrency exchanges as money transmission institutions, and at the state level, despite efforts to create a unified legal system for exchanges, we see a diversity of laws and regulations. Also, due to the common law system of the United States, numerous court cases that have been brought regarding cryptocurrency exchanges will generally create judicial precedents in similar cases. The establishment of a regulatory sandbox in Europe and self-regulation in the United States are notable features of these two legal systems. In Iran, to date, no specific law or regulation has been enacted that directly addresses the issue of cryptocurrency exchanges. This legal vacuum is even more palpable regarding the establishment and licensing of cryptocurrency exchanges, which requires the rectification of the relevant legal deficiencies and, more importantly, their operationalization. This is a very serious weakness in the law governing exchanges in Iran, which has practically placed the establishment of exchanges in Iran in a lawless environment and solely subject to the will of the founders of the exchange. Regarding how exchanges operate in Iran, some circulars and guidelines have been issued that are generally indirectly but relatively extensively related to their operation and activities, which requires, while explicitly stating the laws on the inclusion of financial regulatory regulations on exchanges and, if possible, notifying the CEOs of these institutions of the regulations governing exchanges, like European and American legal systems, by properly implementing a "regulatory sandbox" or "self-regulatory" system, to benefit from these experimental and decentralized institutions in regulating exchanges. In fact, it is suggested for the Iranian legislator that if it decides to develop comprehensive regulations to oversee the activities of cryptocurrency exchanges, until its approval, it should apply quick-to-approve but experimental regulations to exchanges so that, in this way, there is both an opportunity to develop appropriate regulations and to use the positive or negative feedback of experimental regulations in developing final regulations. However, if the Iranian legislator decides to enact interventionist regulations to oversee the activities of exchanges, it is recommended that at least by granting more supervisory power and authority to domestic self-regulatory bodies, such as the Computer Systems Engineers Association, the Association of Financial Technologies, and the Blockchain Technologists Association, in the more accurate implementation and execution of this American regulatory system in the law governing exchanges in Iran, a significant step should be taken towards indirectly supervising Iranian cryptocurrency exchanges. In addition, the imposition and implementation of income tax regulations on exchanges and the transactions conducted on their platforms can be fruitful in the light of clause 17 of the general policies of "resistance economy" announced by the leadership, aimed at reforming the government's revenue system by increasing the share of tax revenues. In addition, given the international nature of digital currency transactions on the blockchain and the huge investments of Iranian citizens in the digital currency market, regulations should be enacted and implemented to restrict capital outflows from the country, such as imposing daily deposit limits. Regarding the liabilities of cryptocurrency exchanges, it seems that apart from their administrative/professional liability (which, of course, includes cryptocurrency exchanges according to subsequent regulations) and their criminal liability (which is subject to the general criminal regulations of the country), the legislator's attention to the contractual and civil liabilities of exchanges towards their users in terms of consumer protection has been largely neglected, and it is recommended that specific legal mechanisms be created (such as obligating exchanges to insure customers' assets or monitoring the system of charging fees by exchanges from users) to protect consumers (exchange users) - who are considered the weaker party in the exchange-user relationship - through bodies such as the "Consumer Protection Organization", in order to, while adjusting the unilateral contracts of exchanges against users, create a reasonable balance between the rights and obligations of exchanges and their users. 4. Conclusions and Future Research Overall, it seems that the few domestic regulations that have been developed in the field of cryptocurrency law have generally been about cryptocurrencies in general and have not been specific to the requirements of cryptocurrency exchanges. This is while the institution of cryptocurrency exchanges, due to their prominent role in the world of digital currencies, requires special regulations. Special legislation for the institution of exchanges is more important than legislation for cryptocurrencies themselves; because, given the centralized nature of exchanges, these institutions are more amenable to being regulated than cryptocurrencies themselves, which are typically decentralized. In fact, the domestic legislator has not yet fully considered the high economic potential of cryptocurrency exchanges and, of course, their potential threats in developing and implementing regulations in this area, and in this regard, there is still a lot of room for improvement in its legal policy to reach the desired global level - compared to the first-level legal systems of the world, including the European Union and the United States of America.

Emmanuel Ahatsi, Lin Nie, Oludolapo Akanni Olanrewaju

<i>Background</i>: The article examines the adoption of competitive intelligence (CI) in Ghana’s humanitarian sector, identifying barriers such as resource limitations and organizational challenges, while highlighting CI’s potential to enhance decision-making, partnerships, and efficiency. <i>Methods</i>: The study adopted a mixed-method research approach. Survey questionnaires and interviews were conducted with 34 humanitarian organisations in Ghana as part of the study. <i>Results</i>: The study established that, few humanitarian organisations in Ghana are practising CI. Many organisations have no established and specific procedures and staff for CI. The main challenges organisations experience when implementing CI include limited resources, especially in funding, lack of skilled workforce, and limited technological support. Other challenges include the organisational culture, lack of support from organisational leadership, and competing priorities. However, the study re-vealed the benefits and opportunities of CI for Ghana’s humanitarian sector, which include better decision-making and resource utilisation, cooperation and partnerships, flexibility and prepared-ness, and organisational efficiency and outcomes. Conclusion: The study concluded that the human-itarian organisations in Ghana will need to address the challenges mentioned above and build on those opportunities to harness the potential of CI effectively. Some suggestions include the sensitisation of CI, resource mobilisation, capacity development, culture change, and CI institutionalisation.

Mahdi Karimi

This article examines the risks of using virtual reality technology to achieve criminal law objectives. In the first step, by reviewing scientific studies to determine the nature of virtual reality, it has been identified as a non-invasive neural technology that has high-risk artificial intelligence. At the same time, it introduces it as a transformational neural technology that can alter what people perceive as reality. This capability is referred to as "realism" which represents the emotional immersion of the user in a virtual experience. The implications of this capacity reveal three key risks, which are: (1) the ability to collect extensive data stored during its use; (2) the ability of virtual reality to mentally recreate the "physical" avatar experience in the user; and (3) its considerable capacity for manipulating individuals. In the second step, this article examines potential criminal activities in virtual environments, focusing on violations of mental privacy and manipulation of users. Ultimately, it is suggested that criminal law should intervene to define the "red line" of extensive use of virtual reality by citizens and outline a legal framework for criminalizing associated harms and dangers. Therefore, formulating a comprehensive criminal policy and prevention encompassing laws tailored to the evolving technology is imperative. 1. Introduction In the last quarter of the 20th century, significant changes occurred in the social, political, and economic fabric of most countries, which became known as the 'Risk Society' (Beck, 2006, p: 102). These changes brought with them new risks associated with industrial advancement, technological progress, and globalization. Unlike the domains that traditional criminal law protected, such as individual rights and private property, these new risks could create damage on a global scale, were systematic, and system-based. The consequences of these risks were unpredictable and undefined, and their effects would manifest in the medium or long term. While criminal law had not yet fully adapted to the complexities and challenges arising from rapid social, technological, and cultural transformations of society, the risk society was also evolving simultaneously under the influence of factors such as the digital revolution and remarkable advances in neuroscience and artificial intelligence. This social revolution could challenge the function of criminal law and have fundamental impacts and consequences on it. Therefore, the necessity for implementing fundamental changes in criminal law was felt so that it could continue to fulfill its role in society. New changes in the digital space highlighted the need for criminal law adaptation to these changes. This adaptation includes updating and modifying criminal laws and regulations to cover cyberspace crimes and address data, computer systems, and network systems that require legal protection, as well as encompassing new forms of cyber attacks or electronic hacking in the digital domain. Furthermore, due to the borderless nature of the internet, cybercrimes have an extensive scope that necessitated the development and regulation of a transnational and cross-border framework to counter these behaviors and pursue and punish the aforementioned crimes at an international level. At another stage, in the transition to Web 3.0, another factor was added, meaning that in addition to the internet, the interactive factor - namely the capability of social networks for users to interact and communicate with each other - also intervened, which led to new forms of crimes in social media. These latter criminal behaviors are either committed through the use of social networks such as Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram or are facilitated by using them. 2. Methodology It can be stated that virtual reality (VR) is an advanced human-computer interface where users, through various devices and connections to a computer or platform, can immerse themselves in three-dimensional virtual experiences. Displays and lenses are used for stereoscopic 3D vision; headphones are employed for auditory immersion, while haptic devices with vibrational signals such as gloves, vests, or full-body suits enhance the sense of touch. Since virtual reality is designed and implemented based on the understanding and cognition of the human nervous system and brain, and can influence human emotional and affective states. From a practical perspective, Immersive Virtual Reality (IVR) cannot be separated from Artificial Intelligence (AI). From a technical standpoint, IVR is the result of an inseparable connection between non-invasive neural technology, such as head-mounted displays (HMDs), and a suite of AI systems related to voice recognition, language processing, visual pattern analysis, facial expressions, emotions, and physical interactions for avatar control and environmental interaction. Users can experience virtual environments through 2D displays such as computer monitors, televisions, smartphones, and tablets, viewing events from their perspective. In this mode, they remain connected to their surrounding physical reality. Alternatively, using head-mounted displays (HMDs) with integrated screens and headphones, including glasses or helmets with embedded displays and audio systems, they can completely detach from their physical environment and become fully immersed in the virtual environment. Another characteristic of virtual reality is user-avatar embodiment. Embodiment means creating a sensation in the user as if the avatar is their virtual body, achieved through synchronizing avatar movements with the user's real physical movements. Through this embodiment, the user experiences presence within the avatar's body and perceives and experiences the surrounding world through the avatar's eyes. 3. Results and Discussion In the criminal law domain, an analysis has been conducted examining the potential challenges and risks that the expansion of virtual reality technology may pose to individuals' privacy, security, and psychological well-being. This analysis has identified three specific risks associated with the increasing prevalence of virtual reality technologies and their growing applications in people's daily lives, particularly commercial virtual reality operated by private companies for profit and economic return. The three main risk areas are as follows: 1. Due to its interactive and immersive nature virtual reality can collect and record large volumes of users' personal and sensitive information during use. This information includes behavioral patterns, interests, preferences, biometric and physiological data such as heart rate, body energy consumption, etc., which are comprehensively collected to create a complete and accurate user profile, potentially resulting in severe violations of users' mental privacy. Generally, an avatar refers to a digital and virtual representation of a user in the virtual reality environment. VR is designed and developed in such a way that users can have real-world-like interactions and experiences through their avatars in the virtual environment, enabling the simulation of physical experiences for the user's avatar in the virtual space. 3. Virtual reality, due to creating a highly immersive and interactive environment, significantly enables the manipulation of users' behavior, beliefs, emotions, and decision-making. This potential indicates the risk of exploitation and control of individuals by virtual reality environment operators and designers." It should be noted that* the current criminal policy approach requires re-evaluation and reassessment in line with the current advancement of neural technologies and artificial intelligence to effectively monitor and address the challenges and consequences arising from the development of these technologies. The evolving landscape of neural technologies and AI necessitates a more precise and informed criminal policy approach for controlling criminal behaviors. Neural technologies with the potential for unauthorized direct access to individuals' brain activity, whether invasive or non-invasive, regardless of duration, should be explicitly criminalized by criminal law to preserve individuals' mental integrity. Accordingly, altering brain activity without user-victim consent (brain hacking) should be explicitly defined as a criminal offense as technology has reached a level of development that makes such direct intervention possible. Immersive virtual reality is a non-invasive, indirect, and less effective technology. Non-invasive means the technology doesn't physically enter or alter the user's body. Virtual reality provides an indirect experience of reality as users interact with a simulated environment rather than the real world. The term 'less effective' indicates that virtual reality may not fully replicate real-world experiences. These characteristics make evaluating content or behavior in immersive virtual reality more challenging compared to real-world assessments. The most significant challenge criminal law faces in evaluating content or behavior in immersive virtual reality concerns the effectiveness of user manipulation.

Artur Biela, Magdalena Biela, Barbara Stalmachová et al.

W niniejszej pracy zestawiono środowiskowy i prawny aspekt rozwoju zielonej infrastruktury na terenach miejskich, ze szczególnym uwzględnieniem dachów zielonych. Wykazano, że zarówno istniejąca zielona infrastruktura, obejmująca parki, obszary chronione, lasy, pola itd., jak i kreowana de novo, np. w postaci dachów zielonych, minimalizuje skutki zmian klimatu i jest kluczowa dla zrównoważonego rozwoju. Zidentyfikowane korzyści płynące z wprowadzania dachów zielonych to m.in.: oszczędność energii, poprawa jakości powietrza i wody, wspieranie renaturyzacji miast i wzrost różnorodności biologicznej, które łącznie sprzyjają polepszeniu jakości życia w miastach. Dlatego też wskazano potrzebę usankcjonowania rozwoju zielonej infrastruktury na terenach miejskich w systemie prawnym. Dostrzegając aktualne zagrożenia środowiskowe oraz korzyści z zielonej infrastruktury, ustawodawca europejski podał wytyczne dotyczące jej tworzenia. W artykule dokonano przeglądu stanu prawnego i oceniono, w jaki sposób polityka Unii Europejskiej została zaimplementowana do wspólnotowego oraz krajowego porządku prawnego. W szczególności zbadano, w jakim zakresie organy samorządu terytorialnego uwzględniają zieloną infrastrukturę w miejscowych planach zagospodarowania przestrzennego.

Wuttichai Youngswaing, Sajjakaj Jomnonkwao, Ekkapong Cheunkamon et al.

<i>Background</i>: Environmental responsibility is a critical focus in business and production. International partners have urged Thai businesses to adhere to global standards in environmental and social accountability. Green logistics management focuses on minimizing costs and boosting competitive efficiency in the industrial sector, while also promoting environmental protection. This study investigates the factors influencing green logistics in the motor vehicle industry. <i>Methods</i>: A self-administered questionnaire was used for data collection from 1638 participants. Confirmatory factor analysis and structural equation modeling were employed to identify causal links impacting green logistics effectiveness. <i>Results</i>: Findings indicate that government and organizational environmental policies, a company’s financial ability to implement green initiatives, commitment to eco-friendly investment, and public environmental attitudes significantly and directly affect the efficiency of green logistics. <i>Conclusions</i>: This research provides valuable insights for car manufacturers into key factors in green logistics management. These insights can help in developing strategic plans to achieve environmental sustainability in the context of future market competition.

Gabriele Vestri

Este trabajo se centra en uno de los temas más actuales que involucra al sector público: la implementación y aplicación de sistemas de inteligencia artificial en la estructura de las organizaciones públicas multinivel. Cualquier entidad pública que haya introducido inteligencia artificial o que comprenda la necesidad de hacerlo deberá construir una estrategia que considere diversos criterios y aspectos derivados de esta tecnología disruptiva. En este sentido, resulta interesante dotar a las organizaciones públicas de un sistema intuitivo que les permita evaluar el alcance y los desafíos asociados con la implementación de la inteligencia artificial. En este estudio, proponemos el uso de lo que hemos denominado “Test de evaluación de impacto de la inteligencia artificial” (TEI-Ai), un test cuya arquitectura ayuda a responder preguntas específicas. Es importante señalar que el test en sí mismo es esquemático, por lo que es necesario advertir que debe ser analizado con el correspondiente esclarecimiento y profundización de los distintos ítems que abarca.

Tasneem Rojid, Sawkut Rojid

Purpose – This paper examines the extent to which exchange rate volatility (ERV) is crucial for small island economies. These economies by their very nature and size tend to be net importers and highly dependent on trade for their economic survival. The island of Mauritius is used as a case study. Design/methodology/approach – A GARCH model has been utilized using yearly data for the period 1993–2022. The ARDL bounds cointegration approach has been used to determine the long run relationship between exchange rate volatility and the performance of exports. The ECM-ARDL model has been used to estimate the short-run relationships, that is the speed of adjustments between the variables under consideration. Findings – The findings reveal that exchange rate volatility has a positive and significant effect on exports in the short run as well as in the long run. The study also finds out that export has a long-term relationship with world GDP per capita. Both the presence and degree of exchange rate volatility are important aspects for consideration in policy making. Originality/value – The literature gap that this study attempts to close is one related to global impacts within the recent time horizon. Recently, numerous important events shaped the financial and economic landscape globally, including but not limited to the financial crisis of 2008 and the COVID-19 pandemic in 2019. Both these events stressed the global volume of trade and the exchange rate markets, and these events affects small islands comparatively more given their heavy dependence on international trade for economic development, albeit economic survival.

Dabagh Shabnam, Miristice Lory Michelle Bresciani, Gentile Guido

Efficient urban facility access is crucial for enhancing residents’ well-being and quality of life. This study examines public transport accessibility to essential facilities in Rome, such as high schools and hospitals, using gravity models based on open data sources, like OpenStreetMap and GTFS. Two versions of the gravity model are compared: an origin constrained and a doubly constrained. The latter can consider the capacity of facilities as a strict constraint, offering thus a more realistic assessment of accessibility. The findings highlight the correlation of public transport quality and urban accessibility, showing how variations in public transport supply affect the weighted average time to reach services like healthcare, education, and leisure. This approach reveals specific zones needing improvement and provides a valuable tool for predicting the impact of future changes in the transport network with respect to social equity. An online platform has been developed to allow a readily available application of this methodology to boost active citizenship and proactive decision making.

Victor Verboeket, Harold Krikke, Mika Salmi

<i>Background</i>: Additive manufacturing (AM) for patient-specific medical care products offers great opportunities. However, evidence about the supply chain (SC) performance impact based on empirical data is limited. <i>Methods</i>: In this case study, we gathered real-life data about a traditional manufacturing orthopedic shoe SC and developed future scenarios in which AM is introduced at various points and with different degrees of penetration in the SC. <i>Results</i>: Presently, AM can only replace traditional manufacturing of tools and shoe components at a higher total cost. However, with maturing technology, the complete AM production of orthopedic shoes is expected to become feasible. Theoretically, that could disrupt existing SCs, eliminating 70% of the SC steps, improving SC lead time by 90%, and altering SC relations. However, certain thresholds currently prevent disruption. Specifically, the AM of complete orthopedic shoes has to become possible, manufacturing prices have to drop, and traditional craftsmanship has to be integrated into the digital product design. <i>Conclusions</i>: A framework for transition pathways, including directions for future research, is formed. Findings provide valuable insights for scholars and decision makers in the patient-specific products industry, health insurance providers, and healthcare policy makers to be better prepared by adjusting SC designs, relationships, and remuneration programs while AM technology develops towards maturity.

Tomiło Paweł

The publication includes a review of information on the methods of pavement condition recognition using various methods. Measurement system has been presented that allows to determine the condition of the pavement using the Inertial Measurement Unit (IMU) and machine learning methods. Three machine learning methods were considered: random forest, gradient boosted tree and custom architecture neural network (roadNet). Due to the developed system the set of learning and validation data was created on 3 vehicles: Opel Corsa, Honda Accord, Volkswagen Passat. All of the listed vehicles have front wheel drive. The presented machine learning methods have been compared with each other. The best accuracy on the validation set was achieved by the artificial neural network (ANN). The study showed that asphalt condition classification is possible and the developed system fulfils its task.

Głąbowski Mariusz, Sobieraj Maciej

The elastic optical network (EON) solution is the most flexible in terms of allocation of resources for various traffic streams transported in core part (edge-cloud) of Internet of Things (IoT) networks. This paper presents the results of a study on the determination of the occupancy distribution and the loss probability for particular traffic flows offered in EONs supporting IoT systems. The purpose of the research was to determine the impact of: the number of links making up a group, the numbers of frequency slot units (FSUs) in individual EON link, the traffic intensity of individual traffic flows, the capacity of the EON link (number of FSUs) and the number of FSUs requested by different traffic streams. The developed simulation program of link group of EON allows the calculation of the values of the occupancy distribution and loss probability. The results obtained from the simulation are presented on the graphs in the form of points with confidence intervals.

Khoiron Khulud, Ilyas Masudin, Fien Zulfikarijah et al.

<i>Background</i>: The primary objective of this study was to examine the advancements in sustainable supplier selection through multi-criteria decision making (MCDM) from the years 2013 to 2022. In the recent past, researchers have carried out a significant amount of research in this field over the course of several years; <i>Methods</i>: a total of 121 scientific publications sourced from the Scopus database were chosen for analysis, employing the bibliometric method and graphical visualization of the VOS viewer application to visually analyze and map research networks and collaboration patterns, aiding in the evaluation of scientific impact and knowledge dissemination; <i>Results</i>: the findings of this study indicate that the research trend in sustainable supplier selection through MCDM witnessed its most significant growth in the year 2019. Researchers predominantly disseminated their scientific findings through articles, accounting for 81% of the publications, followed by conference papers at 14%, and book chapters at 2.5%; <i>Conclusions</i>: the primary area of focus in these studies pertains to decision-making processes involved in sustainable supplier selection. The implications and theoretical contributions derived from this research, coupled with the latest advancements, serve as a foundation for further exploration and development of sustainable supplier selection research through MCDM.

Mohammadamin Emami, Melody Khadem Sameni

As a result of the outbreak of COVID-19, the demand for rail travel has decreased. It is not reasonable to compare the rail travel demand during the pandemic year with previous years in order to examine this decrease. The travel demand forecast for the pandemic year should be compared with the actual demand for the pandemic year. In this study, the effect of the COVID-19 pandemic on passenger demand for Iranian railways has been investigated. Using seasonal data from 2011 to 2018, the linear regression model, multilayer perceptron neural network, SARIMA, HoltWinters, and a combination of them (the average result of other models) have been fitted. Rail travel demand for the year before the COVID-19 outbreak (normal conditions) is predicted, and the models' results are compared based on MAD, RMSE, and MAPE. Finally, using the superior model (the hybrid model), rail travel demand for the first year of the COVID-19 outbreak is forecast. Active population and employment have a positive relationship, and vehicles per capita have a negative relationship with rail travel demand. Also, the annual rail travel demand for the Iranian railways in the period of one year after the outbreak of COVID-19 compared to the forecast of the superior model has decreased by 73.12 percent, which is equal to 13.9 billion passenger kilometers.

Julian Vasilev, Tanka Milkova

<i>Background</i>: Stocks of raw materials and finished products are found in all units of logistics systems and require significant financial means of management. For this reason, scientifically justified approaches to stock management and cost minimisation must be explored. Despite the existence of many such approaches in literature and practice, each case has its own specificities and specificities to which stock management models should be adapted. In this article, the aim of the authors is to propose an approach to determine optimal supply sizes from different types of stocks (more than one is known in the literature as multi-nomenclature) that minimises only the cost of inventory management. The cost of inventory is not included. <i>Methods</i>: The article used the methods of mathematical optimisation, the method of least squares, and regression analysis. The scope of the models in the article is inventory management, with a limited number of stock keeping units. Time series data for the delivered quantities and time series data for the costs of stock management are used. Both time series use the same time period. <i>Results</i>: The constructed specific nonlinear mathematical models for optimising the total cost of stock management are approbated based on sample data and the results obtained are analysed. <i>Conclusions</i>: The created mathematical models and methods for optimising the total cost of stock management may be used by logistics managers to minimise the total costs of inventory management.

Alptekin Ulutaş, Ieva Meidute-Kavaliauskiene, Ayse Topal et al.

<i>Background</i>: Uncertainty is the major source of hazards, and it is present in a wide range of business activities. Due to the high level of unpredictability in logistics operations, the logistics sector has traditionally operated in a high-risk environment. These risks have become considerably more complicated as the corporate environment has changed in recent years, such through globalization, environmental concerns, and changes in demand. As a result, in order for a logistics firm to thrive, it is necessary to evaluate and assess the risks associated with logistics. <i>Methods</i>: The Plithogenic Stepwise Weight Assessment Ratio Analysis (SWARA) has been used in this study to assess the logistics risks. The logistics risk considered in this study are transportation-related risks, purchasing-related risks, inventory-related risks, information-related risks, packaging-related risks, operational-related risks, geographical location-related risks, natural disaster-related risks, and organization-related risks. <i>Results</i>: The most significant logistics risks are found to be Inventory-Related Risks, while the least significant are Geographical Location-Related Risks. When compared to the standard SWARA approach, the Plithogenic SWARA method may be employed in group decision-making issues without losing information. <i>Conclusions</i>: The proposed technique will help logistics professionals make informed decisions and manage and analyze risks more efficiently. This study will also contribute to the literature as it is the first time that logistical risks have been addressed by utilizing the Plithogenic SWARA technique.

José Sérgio da Silva Cristóvam, Orides Mezzaroba, Paulo Ricardo Maroso Pereira

A adoção de práticas de Governo digital pela Administração Pública brasileira induz a transformação das suas próprias formas de controle. O presente estudo busca discutir a noção de controle social digital da Administração Pública, suas possibilidades e entraves. A abordagem parte da compreensão da noção de Governo digital, já difundida na comunidade internacional, especialmente por recomendações da Organização para a Cooperação e Desenvolvimento Econômico (OCDE), com o posterior debate acerca do influxo dessa transformação por meio dos mecanismos de controle, seja de forma a se adaptar ao governo já digitalizado seja de modo a induzir essa transformação na Administração Pública. Por fim, são analisados os reflexos desses novos instrumentos, sob a perspectiva do controle social, aquele exercido direta ou indiretamente pelos cidadãos. Isso induz à reflexão não apenas acerca das novas possibilidades de controle oferecidas pela tecnologia, como também de novos direitos aos cidadãos, para que não sejam alijados desse processo. O método utilizado é o dedutivo e a técnica de pesquisa a bibliográfica, apoiada na pesquisa documental em fontes primárias e secundárias.

Hasti Jafari, Mohammad Ali Sandidzadeh, Amir Ghavibazoo

The industry has been faced with the difficulty of Safety level determination of safety systems. Some standards including ISAS 84.01 and IEC61508 have provided some guidelines but there is no a complete and comprehensive understanding about these standards and their accomplishment. It should be noted that the security analysis is one of the most important factors to measure the risk level, as its measurement in certain environment is difficult, so in this study a new approach is proposed to analyze the risk level of safety instruments in fuzzy environment. The new methodology is applied on a train barking system as a case study and the results indicated that the level of safety integrity level is influenced by the security factors. The determination of safety integrity level needs to implement the safety functions and the uncertainty of probabilistic model parameters, which are affected by the results of security analysis. The level of safety integrity in fuzzy environment is calculated by proposing fuzzy fault tree analysis and the results have been compared with the concluded results obtained from certain methods.

Karapetkov Stanimir, Dimitrov Lubomir, Uzunov Hristo et al.

Various methodologies and tools applied to identification of vehicle and collision impact seek to present more and more accurate solutions to reproduce, restore, recreate and investigate the casualty. Modern computer technology and software provide the tools to solve specific problems developing mathematical modelling of complex mechanical systems involving vehicles and other objects in a road accident. Scientists generally utilize the Standard Test Method for Impact Testing calculating the energy of deformation of both vehicles, however, one of its limitations is the evaluation of the kinetic energy of the vehicles in post-collision taking into consideration vehicle rotation and linear displacement. To improve the analysis, dynamic traffic simulation is used, taking into account the variations in the coefficient of friction, suspension elasticity and damping. The proposed method is based on a system of two equations derived from two principles: the Principle of Conservation of Mechanical Energy and the Principle of Conservation of Momentum in the impact phase. The new approach is conducted on mathematical modelling and computer simulation of vehicle motion after the impact, wherefrom the linear and angular velocities are analysed. This is achieved by the numerical solution of the differential equations of motion of the cars after the impact, and the given initial conditions that satisfy the solution are used to solve the system of equations. The main findings of the study can be grouped as follows: 1) The positions of the vehicles prior to the moment of first impact and the post-impact orientation of velocity vectors are more precise. 2) The variability of the tire-road friction coefficient is taken into consideration. 3) The value of coefficient of restitution according to Newton’s theory of impact is unnecessarily determined.

Yachba Khadidja, Gelareh Shahin, Bouamrane Karim

This work discusses the problem of dangerous containers storage in a container terminal. Container terminal represents an essential intermodal interfaces for global transportation network. Several materials handling possible to move containers at the port to better meet the needs of ships awaiting loading or unloading. Have a good organization of the terminal's container storage area requires a special effort. Containers search times can be considerable and lead to delays causing financial penalties for terminal management operators. An optimal location for a container in a terminal is very important for companies because this operation reduces transportation costs. In this article, we propose an approach for the placement problem of hazardous containers through the description of an optimization model to solve and optimize available storage space. The interest of this work is to develop a computer tool to enable the identification of the best location of a hazardous container using the Genetic Algorithm.