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We examine the effects of implementing a U.S. approach to the enforcement of mandatory disclosure in China. Using a hand-collected sample of comment letters (CLs) issued by the Shanghai Stock Exchange over the period of 2013 to 2018, we show that stock price reactions to CL receipts and replies are negative and significant. Using textual analysis to match issues raised by regulators to targeted firms' changes in disclosure, we show that these firms do address CL issues point by point, but do not experience significant improvements in their information environments. Our article highlights the importance of incentives rather than regulation/enforcement in reducing information asymmetry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The European Union's General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), with its explicit consent requirement, may restrict the use of personal data and shake the foundations of online advertising. The ad industry has predicted drastic loss of revenue from GDPR compliance and has been seeking alternative ways of targeting. Taking advantage of an event created by an ad publisher's request for explicit consent from users with European Union IP addresses, the authors find that for a publisher that uses a pay-per-click model, has the capacity to leverage both user behavior and web page content information for advertising, and observes high consent rates, GDPR compliance leads to modest negative effects on ad performance, bid prices, and ad revenue. The changes in ad metrics can be explained by temporal variations in consent rates. The impact is most pronounced for travel and financial services advertisers and least pronounced for retail and consumer packaged goods advertisers. The authors further find that web page context can compensate for the loss of access to users' personal data, as the GDPR's negative impact is less pronounced when ads are posted on web pages presenting relevant content. The results suggest that publishers and advertisers should leverage targeting based on web page content after the GDPR's rollout. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Post-Brexit, there has been some confusion about the future use of UKCA (UK Conformity Assessed) markings and when they must appear on products and packaging. This article offers insights on [...]

Energy and mobility poverty are often experienced together by vulnerable and disadvantaged segments of society. Effectively addressing these issues requires identifying specific groups within unique contexts and devising context-specific interventions. Based on extensive original research, this study uncovers the energy, mobility and broader socio-economic challenges faced by working class citizens housed in Abu Dhabi's labour camps and how these challenges ultimately impact their quality of life and health. Our investigation focuses on the themes of marginalisation and spatial justice to show how labour camp residents often feel excluded from society and isolate themselves from the city and its activities. In exploring the subject of poverty and vulnerability, we show how low-income and living conditions are intertwined with energy and mobility poverty and, hence, the need for holistic solutions. To remediate these circumstances, we provide a set of policy recommendations, including increased monitoring of labour camp developers to ensure compliance with UAE regulations, guaranteeing that labour camps are part of urban planning and implementing safe soft mobility options so mobility can be achieved without requiring a personal vehicle. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study reviews integrated coastal management (ICM) practice in Indonesia's regional autonomy law regime, particularly community engagement. It examines several laws on ICM in the current regional autonomy era and discusses various achievements and issues affecting Indonesia's program. This is legal research examines various ICM-related legislation, secondary literature, policy plans, and the interview conducted at the Indonesian Ministry of Marine Affairs and Fisheries. The results show that the ICM program has a legal basis in various legislation, yet it faces various implementation problems. Many legal loopholes in regulation, dependence on funding institutions, environmental pollution, mismanagement, and lack of coordination and collaboration in community engagement should be instantly resolved. Also, the local community, as ecosystem users, are powerless and often ignored. Therefore, the local communities need to be informed, their ability to manage coastal areas be improved, their livelihoods protected, and be more engaged in decision-making, especially in establishing regulations and legislations. Active community engagement in the decision-making process may improve regulatory compliance and achieve a more sustainable and democratic ICM. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Data protection compliance is critical from a requirements engineering (RE) perspective, both from a software development lifecycle (SDLC) perspective and regulatory compliance. Not including these requirements from the early phases of the SDLC can prove costly and challenging afterward. The general data protection regulation (GDPR) from the European Union (EU) sets a list of requirements that organizations working within its scope should satisfy. However, these requirements are complex to work with, as legal prose tends to be vague and imprecise, and not all requirements have received the same attention from researchers. This study aims to identify the research published in RE for helping compliance with regulatory data protection requirements. We gathered and analyzed 90 articles from 2016 to 2022 through a systematic mapping study. We analyzed key trends in the sample, such as year of publication, publication venue, type of research, interdisciplinarity in the author's background, GDPR focus of compliance element, and type of proposal. Our main findings show ongoing interest, mostly published in conferences, in achieving overall compliance with the GDPR and consent as the most popular topics. Other topics, such as cookies or children's data, did not receive significant attention. Research over the whole RE process has been done. 20 (22%) of the papers have authors affiliated with non-computer science; however, most research seems not interdisciplinary. We finally discuss gaps in the literature, possible future areas of research, and the importance of interdisciplinary research for regulatory data protection requirements in RE. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: This study aims to revisit the relationship between the stringency of employment protection legislation and entrepreneurship at the macro-level using time series data from 28 OECD countries. Design/methodology/approach: To address model uncertainty, a Bayesian model averaging methodology is employed, overcoming issues related to predictor selection. Additionally, the study delves into the interaction between employment protection legislation and the rule of law, considering potential unintended consequences and overlapping effects. Heterogeneity within self-employment is explored, making a distinction between solo self-employment and employer entrepreneurship. Findings: The findings reveal that the impact of employment protection legislation, both for regular and temporary employment, on aggregate solo self-employment rates is contingent upon the level of practical regulatory compliance. The legislation can either stimulate or hinder entrepreneurship, highlighting the nuanced nature of its influence on macro-level entrepreneurial activities. Practical implications: The results of this study provide valuable insights for policymakers and regulators by emphasizing the complexity of the relationships under consideration. Understanding the potential interactions between employment protection legislation, rule of law and practical regulatory compliance is crucial for designing an effective and conducive regulatory environment for entrepreneurship. Originality/value: This research offers a unique contribution to the literature in three distinct ways: by addressing model uncertainty through Bayesian model averaging, examining the interaction between employment protection legislation and the rule of law and differentiating between solo self-employment and employer entrepreneurship. These distinctive elements enhance the originality and value of the study, providing a more nuanced understanding of the intricate relationship between legal frameworks and macro-level entrepreneurship. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: This study investigates trends in the issuance of FDA warning letters from 2019 to 2023. The paper aims to assess past and present FDA statements of inspection efficiency from a quantitative and qualitative perspective. Methods: An analytical approach combining regex filtering and web scraping was developed to log citations of law within FDA warning letters. The process included identifying recurring keywords for categorization by keyword, department, and legal reference. Results: From 2019 to 2023, the FDA went from issuing a warning letter 2.98 times per 100 inspections to 4.27 times per 100 inspections, a 43% increase in warning letters issued per 100 inspections. Conclusions: From 2019 to 2023, the FDA issued more warning letters more frequently when compared to inspection volume, reallocating resources and priorities throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper investigates the role of corporate financial reports in the Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) regulatory activities. By tracking the EPA's direct retrieval of SEC filings, we identify three key findings. First, the EPA retrieves a large volume of financial reports, especially from firms in high‐pollution industries. Second, the EPA is more likely to access financial reports during enforcement investigations and significant rule proposals, but less so during compliance monitoring, with patterns varying predictably across firms. Third, the EPA's reliance on financial reports is potentially driven by its demand for information on firm liquidity, solvency, and profitability. Overall, our study highlights the usefulness of financial reports for the EPA as an environmental regulator. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Accurate data annotation is essential to successfully implementing machine learning (ML) for regulatory compliance. Annotations allow organizations to train supervised ML algorithms and to adapt and audit the software they buy. The lack of annotation tools focused on regulatory data is slowing the adoption of established ML methodologies and process models, such as CRISP-DM, in various legal domains, including in regulatory compliance. This article introduces Ant, an open-source annotation software for regulatory compliance. Ant is designed to adapt to complex organizational processes and enable compliance experts to be in control of ML projects. By drawing on Business Process Modeling (BPM), we show that Ant can contribute to lift major technical bottlenecks to effectively implement regulatory compliance through software, such as the access to multiple sources of heterogeneous data and the integration of process complexities in the ML pipeline. We provide empirical data to validate the performance of Ant, illustrate its potential to speed up the adoption of ML in regulatory compliance, and highlight its limitations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The application of blockchain technology holds significant potential for improving efficiency, resilience, and transparency within the Fisheries Supply Chain (FSC). This study addresses the critical barriers hindering the adoption of blockchain technology (BT) in the Chinese FSC, recognizing the unique challenges posed by its intricacies. Through a comprehensive literature review, fourteen Critical Barrier Factors (CBFs) were identified, and a grey Delphi method was employed to distill this set. Five pivotal CBFs emerged, including "Regulatory Compliance," "Cost of Implementation," and "Complex Supply Chain Network". A subsequent grey Decision-Making Trial and Evaluation Laboratory (DEMATEL) analysis revealed the causal relationships among these factors, categorizing them into effect and cause groups. "Regulatory Compliance," "Cost of Implementation," and "Complex Supply Chain Network" were identified as primary influencing factors demanding attention for effective BT integration in the FSC. The findings serve as a valuable resource for FSC stakeholders, assisting in prioritizing efforts to address these barriers. The discerned causal relationships provide guidance for managers in optimizing resource allocation. Ultimately, this research advocates for the adoption of blockchain technology in the fisheries supply chain to enhance overall performance and operational efficiency. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The demand for traceability has emerged as a significant imperative within the framework of an ethical supply chain that includes multiple stages. This study focusses on the implementation and impact of traceability technology in the Ghanaian fashion industry. The study employed descriptive and explanatory research, using a 700-stakeholder sample, a standardised questionnaire, and descriptive and inferential statistical methods. The findings of the study indicate that QR codes, GPS tracking, sustainable material tracing, and consumer interaction apps demonstrate a high level of effectiveness within the Ghanaian fashion business. The implementation of traceability technology faces challenges like limited knowledge, research insufficient, lack of coordination, policy absence, financial constraints, technological infrastructure limitations, data privacy concerns, opposition, and training gaps. Stakeholders generally support the implementation of coordination policies and regulatory compliance strategies, suggesting that factors like awareness, research, cost, infrastructure, data protection, opposition, and training should be prioritised. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

AbstractThe door-in-the-face (DITF) technique consists of making a large request with a high probability of rejection and immediately after being rejected, making a second moderate request which subsequently has a higher probability of being accepted than when this later request is directly addressed. In this study, we examined the influence of adding a guilt cue after the rejection of the initial large request. Participants in the street were asked to buy raffle tickets for a humanitarian organization. In the DITF condition, participants were first asked to volunteer to help the organization each weekend during the winter. In the DITF with guilt, after the refusal of the first request, participants received a guilt-ridden argument about people’s altruism. It was reported that more compliance was found in the DITF condition than in the control condition and that more compliance was observed in the DITF + Guilt cue condition than in the traditional DITF condition. These findings supported the assumption that adding a guilt cue after the rejection of the first request increased compliance and suggested that further cues could be examined in the future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The maritime transport sector is confronted with a multitude of operational risks that demand the implementation of efficacious management strategies. It is often the case that traditional frameworks prove inadequate, particularly in the context of integrating innovative technologies such as blockchain. This research underscores the potential of blockchain technology to mitigate the aforementioned risks by addressing challenges such as inefficiencies in documentation, a lack of transparency, security vulnerabilities, and regulatory compliance issues. Blockchain offers a decentralized, immutable ledger that facilitates documentation, reduces errors, prevents fraud, and enhances transparency and traceability. This encourages more effective collaboration among stakeholders and enhances security measures, particularly in the context of cybersecurity. Furthermore, it facilitates regulatory compliance through transparent record-keeping and automated reporting via smart contracts. While blockchain technology has the potential to optimize supply chain management and enhance data analytics for proactive risk management, the successful implementation of such solutions requires the collaboration of industry stakeholders, regulatory support, and ongoing innovation. Further research should investigate the scalability of blockchain technology, its integration with other digital technologies, its long-term impact, and the establishment of standardized protocols. The complete potential of blockchain technology in the management of maritime operational risks has yet to be fully actualized. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Journal of Chengdu University (Social Science) is the property of Journal of Chengdu University (Social Science Edition) Editorial Office and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Purpose: This study aims to understand why some social and environmental reporting (SER) regulations are more successful than others in modifying collective corporate reporting behaviour and expectations. More specifically, it presents a qualitative and historically informed exploration of the construction of the enabling conditions for corporate adoption of SER regulation in a national context. Design/methodology/approach: Drawing on insights from structuration theory and the sociological approach to legal studies, the authors examined the normative persuasion of the first regulation in Spain requiring firms to disclose social and environmental information in a stand-alone report: Article 39 of the Spanish Sustainable Economy Law. The case study is based primarily on 38 semi-structured interviews with relevant actors involved in this SER regulation from 2008 to 2014. Other sources such as legal and policy documents, historical documents, books, press reports and field notes from attendance at technical meetings related to the phenomenon under study help inform and complement the analysis of the interviews. Findings: The analysis reveals that the agency of regulators, regulatees and other relevant actors involved in the SER regulation led to the law becoming a dead letter. However, only by examining the structural circumstances, shaped by history and socio-economic context, can the authors understand how the normative persuasion of law is constructed or undermined. Research limitations/implications: The study underscores the importance of the national context in developing corporate social responsibility (CSR) regulation and the crucial role of history. The results of this research also suggest that significant progress towards a more transformative CSR regulation cannot be achieved without the support of enabling structures/ Practical implications: Recent SER regulations (European Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive and IFRS sustainability standards, to mention those that are gaining most traction) may not achieve sufficient compliance if those responsible for drafting them do not ensure that the conditions for the emergence of regulatory persuasion are met. Regulators must therefore have a profound understanding of how these conditions are constructed as part of a historical process inextricably linked to the social structures of the environment in which the law is to be applied. Social implications: The study reveals the changing landscape of corporate social responsibility, where scientists, academics, NGO activists and civil society organisations struggle to gain some agency in a field populated by actors, such as trade unions or employers, who were constitutive of Western industrial liberal democracies. Originality/value: This study presents an in-depth and historically grounded analysis of the dynamics involved in creating the conditions that lead to successful SER legislation in a national context. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As part of the Ultra High Aspect Ratio Wing Advanced Research and Designs (U-HARWARD) project, funded by CS2JU, various gust load alleviation (GLA) technologies have been developed and studied. GLA plays a crucial role in the development of new generation ultra-high aspect ratio wings (UHARWs), as it reduces gust loads, thereby decreasing the structural weight of the wing and, consequently, the entire aircraft. This weight reduction enhances overall aircraft efficiency, enabling a higher aspect ratio. GLA technologies are categorized into passive systems, which require no active intervention, and active systems, where control surfaces redistribute the aerodynamic loads. In this study, passive GLA was implemented using a folding wing tip (FWT) developed by the University of Bristol, while active GLA employed a Static Output Feedback controller developed by Politecnico di Milano. Both approaches were compared against a baseline aircraft configuration. A flutter assessment confirmed that FWT does not introduce aeroelastic instabilities, ensuring the aircraft remains flutter-free across its flight envelope. A thorough comparison of load envelopes, based on nearly 2000 load cases across different flight points and mass configurations, was conducted in compliance with CS25 regulations, examining both positive and negative gust conditions. The results show a possible 15% reduction in the dynamic load envelope for both passive and active solutions. Using NeOPT, a hybrid finite element (FE) model was developed, with a detailed global FEM (GFEM) for the wingbox and stick elements for other components. Linear gust analyses in Nastran, with the hinge locked and released, provided high-fidelity results, comparing wing failure indexes and demonstrating the effectiveness of the FWT solution. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present paper describes the measurement of the drift of unidirectional pose accuracy, repeatability, and static compliance of a collaborative robot employing a measurement methodology that relies on the description of a virtual ISO cube placed in the robot's workspace. The measurements aimed to investigate and assess the suitability of the UR5 six-axis collaborative robot for its application in robotic 3D printing. An experimental laboratory measurement workstation was constructed to perform the measurements, and control measurements were performed. The measurements involved describing the TCP point of the robot tool at five measurement points located in a virtual ISO cube during a minimum of 30 repeated measurement cycles. A camera and six linear incremental sensors with assessment units were used for the measurements. The measurements were performed in compliance with the regulations of STN ISO 9283 standard for this type of measurement. As a result of the measurements, the technical specifications of the drift and static compliance of the controlled robotic arm were verified, and the results were compared with the values specified by the manufacturer. Following the measurements and assessment of the results, it was possible to assess the suitability of the used UR5 robotic arm for its application in robotic 3D printing and to propose possible recommendations for the calibration of the robot and the process settings of the printing system for the production of objects using FDM technology. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article "Mastering the Digital Regulatory Maze: Strategies for Marketing Success in a Complex Landscape" by Daniel Sokol discusses the pervasive nature of digital regulation, covering areas such as privacy, antitrust, AI, and fintech. Marketers must navigate different levels of regulation, including traditional government regulation, public-private regulation, and purely private regulation through contracts. The article emphasizes the importance of understanding and responding to the complex digital regulatory environment to thrive in the digital age, highlighting the need for transparency, accountability, and proactive engagement with regulators to avoid more severe government regulation. [Extracted from the article]

ABSTRACT Potassium bromate (KBrO3), employed ubiquitously as an oxidizing agent in commonly consumed baked foods and as a flour improver to enhance dough quality, has been recognized as a possible human carcinogen. Despite stringent prohibitions in numerous nations eliciting substantial apprehension worldwide, notably in Bangladesh, the pervasive occurrence of KBrO3 in baked foods persists as a formidable public health quandary. This study aimed to investigate the presence of KBrO3 in five different popular baked foods comprising a total of 104 samples, such as bread (n = 39), cake (n = 33), burger buns (n = 13), pizza (n = 10), and naan (n = 9), collected from different districts across Bangladesh. The amounts of KBrO3 were quantified using UV–visible spectrophotometric method. A calibration curve was obtained with a satisfactory linearity and a correlation coefficient (R2) 0.998. The sensitivity was confirmed by limits of detection (LOD = 0.0180 mg L−1) and quantification (LOQ = 0.0548 mg L−1). The recovery rates for spiked samples were 87%–103%, ensuring the accuracy and reliability of the measurements. KBrO3 concentrations varied significantly across the samples: BDL to 5.53 ± 0.24 mg kg−1 in breads, BDL to 6.18 ± 0.01 mg kg−1 in cakes, 0.86 ± 0.01 to 1.69 ± 0.01 mg kg−1 in burger buns, 0.92 ± 0.01 to 4.35 ± 0.01 mg kg−1 in pizzas, and BDL to 5.37 ± 0.02 mg kg−1 in naans. The concentrations of KBrO3 in bread, cake, burger buns, pizza, and naans surpass the recommended threshold established by the FDA factors of 276.5, 309.0, 84.5, 217.5, and 268.5, respectively. The study revealed particularly high levels of KBrO3 presence in the targeted baked foods in all of the sampling districts, highlighting a serious food safety concern in Bangladesh. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study introduces fBrake, a novel simulation method now designed for use in periodic technical inspections of M1 and N1 vehicle categories, addressing challenges posed by Directive 2014/45/EU. The directive mandates that braking efficiency must be measured relative to the vehicle's maximum mass, which often results in underperformance during inspections due to vehicles typically being unladen. This discrepancy arises because the maximum braking forces are proportional to the vertical load on the wheels, causing empty vehicles to lock their wheels prematurely compared to laden ones. fBrake simulates the braking forces of unladen vehicles to reflect a laden state by employing an optimal brake-force distribution curve that aligns with the vehicle's inherent braking behavior, whether through proportioning valves or through electronic brake distribution systems in anti-lock-braking-system-equipped vehicles. Our methodology, previously applied to heavy vehicles, involved extensive experimentation with a roller brake tester, comparing the actual braking performances of dozens of vehicles to those of their simulated counterparts using fBrake. The results demonstrate that fBrake reliably replicates the braking efficiency of laden vehicles, validating its use as an accurate and effective tool for braking system assessments in periodic inspections, irrespective of the vehicle's load condition during the test. This approach ensures compliance with regulatory requirements while enhancing the reliability and safety of vehicle inspections. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nuclear power's role as a reliable, baseload, low-carbon source and its importance in achieving clean energy goals are being increasingly recognized with growing urgency around decarbonization of the global energy systems. However, to deliver a long-term sustainable solution, it is essential to develop innovative nuclear technologies for improving the fuel utilization and reducing the nuclear waste disposal challenge. Zero Power Reactors (ZPR) are an essential initial step for developing new nuclear technologies because they allow for testing and refinement in a safe environment before large-scale deployment. This paper discusses the design of a ZPR experiments for the development of iMAGINE, a novel chloride-based molten salt reactor technology. The paper presents a detailed analysis of the neutronic design for the shutdown and control systems of an experimental ZPR based on the iMAGINE molten salt reactor technology. The study concludes that a split-core design with a lower corner reflector as an extension of the lower annular reflector offers the most robust ZPR configuration, offering optimum operational margins and maneuverability. This design ensures safety, regulatory compliance, and sufficient control and shutdown performance for the successful development of the iMAGINE technology. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study investigates the mediating effect of regulatory compliance mechanisms on the association between environmental knowledge and environmental sustainability practices of manufacturing small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in Uganda. This study was cross-sectional and correlational. Data were collected through a questionnaire survey of 254 manufacturing SMEs and analyzed using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS), following Baron and Kenny, as well as bootstrap guidelines, to establish the association between the study variables and the mediating effect of regulatory compliance mechanisms. The study results indicate the following: (1) environmental knowledge and regulatory compliance mechanisms significantly explain the environmental sustainability practices of manufacturing SMEs; (2) environmental knowledge is significantly related to regulatory compliance mechanisms; (3) regulatory compliance mechanisms partially mediate the environmental knowledge and environmental sustainability practices of manufacturing SMEs. This study contributes to the existing literature on environmental sustainability practices as it offers initial empirical evidence on the mediating effect of regulatory compliance mechanisms in the association between environmental knowledge and environmental sustainability practices of manufacturing SMEs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study addresses the critical need for innovation in the healthcare sector, particularly in Japan's functional food industry, amid rising chronic diseases and healthcare costs. It explores the complex relationship between regulatory design and corporate behaviour, focusing on how companies' compliance strategies influence their research and development (R&D) investments. A mixed-method approach was used, analysing data from 15 major dietary supplement companies and 74 products under Japan's Foods with Function Claims (FFCs) regulation. The study reveals a correlation between companies' engagement in the FFCs system and their preference for conducting in-house clinical trials, indicative of higher R&D investments (R = 0.66, p = 0.007), and that between the latter variable and average product sales, which is a measure of returns on regulatory compliance (R = 0.66, p = 0.008). Companies actively complying with FFCs regulations tend to conduct R&D and accumulate knowledge in-house, to innovate and differentiate their products, gaining competitive advantages. The study also highlights the role of a company's size, market presence, and industry origins in shaping regulatory strategies, with firms from other industries using FFCs regulations to explore new business opportunities. The research underscores the importance of flexible regulatory frameworks that encourage R&D investment, leading to innovation and competitive advantages in the healthcare sector. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study proposes a comprehensive MedTech product innovation development framework tailored for university research commercialization within emerging markets. The MediGate framework, built on the Augmented Stage-Gate model, addresses the unique challenges of MedTech innovation, including regulatory compliance, stakeholder engagement, and market dynamics. The framework integrates critical decision-making criteria for different types of inventions to drive academic research toward commercialization in clinical settings. Through detailed case studies, including innovations like albumin strip test, 3D-printed patient-specific implant, COVID-19 nasal spray, and AI platform for depression detection, and iterative refinement, the framework provides actionable guidelines for navigating the complexities of product development. These guidelines ensure alignment with clinical needs, regulatory requirements, and market strategies. The research highlights the importance of early-stage valuation, reimbursement strategies, legal and IP considerations, and manufacturing and quality management. By offering a structured pathway, this research contributes to the theoretical and practical understanding of MedTech commercialization, aiming to enhance innovation success and healthcare impact in emerging markets. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

ABSTRACT Aim Design Methods Results Conclusion Patient or Public Contribution Reporting Method The aim of this study was to investigate the point prevalence and the rate of adherence to evidence‐based guidelines for patients who had indwelling urinary catheters in three Australian acute care hospitals.A cross‐sectional observational design was used.A multisite cross‐sectional observational design was utilised in three acute hospitals across Australia. Data were collected from each site in a single day directly from observation of the patient, the bedside notes and medical records. The data collected included observations of clinical care and scrutiny of the documentation of the insertion details and catheter care using best practice guidelines.Of the 1730 patients audited, 47% were female. The mean point prevalence of catheters in situ across three sites was 12.9%. Correct documentation compliance was reported to be, on average, 40%. Documentation was significantly better when a template was available to guide information recorded: this was regardless of whether it was hard copy or electronic. Overall, clinical care compliance with best practices was 77%. Of note for improvement was the fixing of the urinary catheter to the thigh in highly dependent patients.It was identified that there is a need for improvement across all three sites: specifically regarding securement of the urinary catheter to the patient’s thigh within the ICU. In addition, it was identified that there is a need for documentation of the urine bag change in ward areas. Documentation may be improved by incorporating templates into healthcare documentation systems in the future. Further work is needed to ensure nurses are aware of the adverse effects of urinary catheters and thus, the need to adhere to best practice guidelines.There has been no patient or public contribution.We have adhered to the STROBE guidelines for reporting. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Autonomous vehicles (AVs) represent a transformative innovation in transportation, promising enhanced safety, efficiency, and sustainability. Despite these promises, achieving robustness, reliability, and adherence to ethical standards in AV systems remains challenging due to the complexity of integrating diverse technologies. This survey reviews literature from 2017 to 2023, analyzing over 90 papers to explore the integration of knowledge graphs (KGs) into AV technologies. Our findings indicate that KGs significantly enhance AV systems by providing structured semantic understanding, improving real-time decision-making, and ensuring compliance with regulatory standards. The paper identifies that while KGs contribute to better environmental perception and contextual reasoning, challenges remain in their seamless integration with existing systems and in maintaining processing speed. We also address the ethical dimensions of AV decision-making, advocating for frameworks that prioritize safety and transparency. This review underscores the potential of KGs to address critical challenges in AV technologies, offering a hopeful and optimistic outlook for the development of robust, reliable, and socially responsible autonomous transportation solutions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Monitoring chimeric antigen redirected (CAR) T-cells post-infusion in clinical trials is a specialized application of flow cytometry. Unlike the CAR T-cell monitoring for individual patients conducted in clinical laboratories, the data generated during a clinical trial will be used not only to monitor the therapeutic response of a single patient, but determine the success of the therapy itself, or even of an entire class of therapeutic compounds. The data, typically acquired at multiple testing laboratories, will be compiled into a single database. The data may also be used for mathematical modeling of cellular kinetics or to identify predictive biomarkers. With the expanded context of use, a robust, standardized assay is mandatory in order to generate a valuable and reliable data set. Hence, the requirements for assay validation, traceable calibration, technology transfer, cross-instrument standardization and regulatory compliance are high. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Traditional healthcare systems have suffered from different data communication, security, data processing, and compliance issues. The traditional systems are also not well equipped to handle the new technologies like Artificial Intelligence (AI) by enabling more accurate diagnostics, personalized treatment plans, and improved patient outcomes. The existing data communication and security protocols and compliance are also not fully implemented to tackle the system's challenges. This article proposes a Tri‐Tier architecture by using data communication, AI data generative, and regulation and compliance tiers. The data communication tier is based on advanced sensing and monitoring technologies like cloud and edge‐based systems integrated with security detection mechanisms. The edge and cloud layer provides the all functions of the perception layer like smart sensing, visual sensing, and monitoring services, and can control the device's perception and behaviour. The second tier provides the AI data generative functionalities to handle real‐time synthetic medical images for predictive analytics to enhance patient care. This tier also automates routine tasks, such as administrative work and data analysis, which can free up healthcare professionals to focus on more complex tasks. The last regulation and compliance tier is responsible for handling the standards and compliance for healthcare systems. Experiments are conducted to test the data communication and security level of the proposed architecture. The results showed the suitability of existing solutions and synchronization with the proposed architecture. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Aviation Environmental Design Tool (AEDT), developed by the FAA, is used to analyze the environmental impact of airport activities on air quality and noise near airports. AEDT incorporates AERMOD to estimate concentrations resulting from aircraft emissions, which possess horizontal momentum as well as buoyancy. The current version (v23132) of AERMOD incorporates plume dynamics associated with such emissions as an ALPHA option. AERMET, AERMOD's meteorological processor does not account for the meteorology of the land-water interface that is likely to be important for airports located on the shorelines of lakes or oceans. An approach to include these effects in AERMOD was previously developed. This study examines the impact of including plume rise and shoreline effects in AERMOD by evaluating model estimates of NOX and SO2 with corresponding measurements made during the Los Angeles Airport Air Quality Source Apportionment Study (AQSAS) in the winter and summer of 2012. The performance statistics resulting from this model evaluation suggest that the inclusion of plume rise of aircraft emissions and shoreline effects on meteorological inputs is likely to improve AERMOD's ability to estimate the impact of airport emissions on surrounding air quality. Implications: Because airport emissions, particularly those from aircraft, affect local air quality, the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) requires the use of dispersion models such as AERMOD to assess compliance of air quality regulations when potential expansions of airport activity are planned. The current regulatory version of AERMOD does not include aircraft-specific plume rise and shoreline-related meteorological processes, which affect the dispersion of airport emissions. The preliminary evidences presented in our previous work suggest that the incorporation of these effects will enhance AERMOD's ability to estimate NOX and SO2 concentrations associated with airport emissions. These enhancements are beneficial not only for policy-making and regulatory compliance but also for promoting sustainable development near airports and protecting public health. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study investigates the awareness, perceptions, and preparedness of Romanian construction developers and public procurement specialists in relation to nearly Zero-Energy Buildings (nZEBs), focusing on factors that influence their adoption. Employing a mixed-methods approach, the research analyzes 193 validated questionnaire responses and insights from interviews with four industry experts. The findings reveal a significant disparity in familiarity with nZEB, with developers exhibiting greater awareness than procurers. Compliance with regulations emerges as the primary driver for nZEB adoption, while high upfront costs and a scarcity of qualified workforce are major barriers. Additionally, the complexity and fragmentation of Romanian legislation on nZEB standards creates ambiguities and further hinders effective implementation. Despite these challenges, developers express moderate optimism about Romanian construction companies' adaptability to future nZEB demands, whereas procurers remain less confident. The study underscores the critical role of proactive policy interventions, clear public procurement criteria, and collaborative strategies in aligning government-funded projects with energy efficiency goals. By addressing systemic barriers and fostering innovation, this research provides policymakers and stakeholders with actionable insights to facilitate a smooth transition to sustainable building practices in Romania. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The automotive industry's evolution thrives on technological innovation, prioritizing efficiency, safety, and sustainability. Recent improvements in autonomous driving and IoT integration have revolutionized vehicle design, safety, and maintenance with different automation degrees from partial human control to full automation. Selecting these automation degrees involves complicated Multi-Criteria Decision-Making (MCDM) encompassing technical feasibility, societal impact, and regulatory compliance. Utilizing Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) and Combinative Distance-Based Assessment (CODAS) offers a structured framework to navigate these complexities. AHP establishes criteria importance, while CODAS handles uncertainties, enabling informed decisions balancing technology with ethical, societal, and regulatory considerations. Fuzzy extensions further refine these methodologies, empowering the industry to adeptly address subjective perceptions and ambiguous data, enhancing the decision-making framework for automotive technology evolution. This paper navigates the intricate landscape of automation degree selection within the automotive industry evolution, employing a structured approach merging fuzzy AHP and fuzzy CODAS methods by utilizing Continuous Intuitionistic Fuzzy Set (CINFUS). This approach not only brings a new perspective to autonomous vehicles but also highlights the importance of choosing the right automation degree. Moreover, a sensitivity analysis involved adjusting the weights assigned to different criteria within the Continuous Intuitionistic Fuzzy (CINFU) AHP framework. By systematically altering these weights and observing their impact on the final automation degree selection, decision-makers can understand the sensitivity of the chosen automation degree to changes in priority among criteria. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Revista Foco (Interdisciplinary Studies Journal) is the property of Revista Foco and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Revista Foco (Interdisciplinary Studies Journal) is the property of Revista Foco and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Green finance, defined as channeling money into sustainable development activities, is still far lower than needed to achieve net-zero emissions objectives. In this paper, we discuss the role of technologies in developing green finance. We identify that green finance faces three major challenges, including the risk management of green projects, the scarcity of innovative green financing products, and compliance with the regulations. Then, in the context of the existing literature, we explore recent technologies, including blockchain, artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning (ML), data analytics, Internet of Things (IoT), and robotics that are helping to deal with the challenges in green finance. We show that data-driven approaches utilizing AI and ML help in the risk assessment of green projects; FinTech-based crowdfunding platforms provide innovative green financial products and regulatory technologies (RegTech) support in compliance with regulations. We also identify that the environmental footprint of cryptocurrencies is an emerging area in the technologies and green finance domain. Our framework could be helpful to further extend the debate on the role of technology in green finance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Monitoring the quality of the indoor environment is a practice commonly adopted by museums as part of operational risk management. Recorded environmental data are often used to assess the safety of the indoor environment for artefacts, and their suitability for visitors' comfort. Previous studies reported monitoring campaigns assessing the performance of museums and level of compliance with regulatory standards. These analyses were typically conducted in normal circumstances assessing indoor microclimate quality under normal operating procedures. Museum closures during the 2020 pandemic and the global lockdown measures, introduced by governments, presented the heritage sector with an unprecedented situation with empty galleries where collections, in several museums, were held 'dormant' in free-running environments. Assessing the indoor environment in such exceptional circumstances offers a unique insight into the performance of these heritage repositories in other unpredicted situations and potential opportunities for microclimate optimization. This paper reports the results of an extended pre and post-pandemic monitoring that was performed in a historic museum in Northwest England. It contributes to the ongoing universal debate about the application of standardized strict environmental guidelines and the shift towards more contextualized standards in museums in the face of the decline in heritage funding and the pledges for carbon reductions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The transition to digital business systems has revolutionized organizational operations, driven by the integration of advanced technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI). This integration indicates a shift, redefining traditional practices and enhancing efficiency across diverse sectors such as finance, healthcare, and manufacturing. This study explores the impact of AI on auditing through a systematic literature review to develop a conceptual framework for auditing practices. The theoretical implications show the transformative role of AI in redefining auditors' roles, shifting from retrospective examination to proactive real-time monitoring. Moreover, managerial contributions stress the benefits of AI integration, enabling informed decision-making in risk analysis, financial management, and regulatory compliance. Future research should explore AI's influence on auditing efficiency, performance, regulatory challenges, and auditor adaptation. Overall, this study underlines the importance for organizations to embrace AI integration in auditing practices, fostering innovation, competitiveness, and resilience. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper seeks to highlight and address some of the key questions and challenges facing investment management companies navigating a geopolitical and economic landscape that continues to experience significant regulatory change. Managing the complexities of regulatory changes requires a strategic, integrated approach. By staying informed, leveraging technology, prioritising investor protection, engaging effectively with the board and ensuring robust governance and operational resilience, investment management companies can effectively overcome these challenges and maintain compliance in an ever-changing regulatory environment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Conventional Tablets are solid oral dosage forms that contain an active pharmaceutical ingredient (API) along with excipients. These tablets are typically prepared through direct compression, wet granulation, or dry granulation. They are designed to disintegrate and release the API in a controlled or immediate manner, depending on the formulation. Tablet coating is a vital process in pharmaceutical technology, designed to improve the therapeutic efficacy, patient compliance, and stability of oral dosage forms. This comprehensive review explores the key aspects of tablet coating, including the types, compositions, and recent advancements. Coating materials such as polymers, plasticizers, and pigments are discussed in detail, along with their roles in controlling drug release, masking taste, and enhancing aesthetic appeal. The recent advancements focus on innovative coating techniques like film coatings, enteric coatings, and the application of nanotechnology to improve precision and functionality. Additionally, the current status of tablet coating is analyzed in terms of regulatory compliance and industry trends. The review highlights the future potential of personalized coatings, smart coatings, and environmentally friendly approaches, showcasing the evolving landscape of tablet coating technologies/pans in modern pharmaceutical manufacturing and development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study explores the applications and implications of blockchain technology in the Australian higher education system, focusing on its integration with artificial intelligence (AI). By addressing critical challenges in credential verification, administrative efficiency, and academic integrity, this integration aims to enhance the global competitiveness of Australian higher education institutions. A comprehensive review of 25 recent research papers quantifies the benefits, challenges, and prospects of blockchain adoption in educational settings. Our findings reveal that 52% of the reviewed papers focus on systematic reviews, 28% focus on application-based studies, and 20% combine both approaches. The keyword analysis identified 287 total words, with "blockchain" and "education" as the most prominent themes. This study highlights blockchain's potential to improve credential management, academic integrity, administrative efficiency, and funding mechanisms in education. However, challenges such as technical implementation (24%), regulatory compliance (32%), environmental concerns (28%), and data security risks (40%) must be addressed to achieve widespread adoption. This study also discusses critical prerequisites for successful blockchain integration, including infrastructure development, staff training, regulatory harmonisation, and the incorporation of AI for personalised learning. Our research concludes that blockchain, when strategically implemented and combined with AI, has the potential to transform the Australian higher education system, significantly enhancing its integrity, efficiency, and global competitiveness. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Some pharmaceutical ingredients use cyanide in their synthesis, and this impurity must be controlled as per ICH, FDA and EDQM regulatory compliance. Spectrophotometric approaches for measuring cyanide levels are confined to water or water-soluble compounds with poor solution stability and low sensitivity. No method is available for the cyanide in water-insoluble drug substances through spectrophotometry. To address this gap, our study proposed a spectrophotometric approach for measuring trace cyanide in water-insoluble drugs such as Primidone and Clobazam. This method utilizes chloramine-T, which reacts with cyanide to form cyanogen chloride (CNCl), consequently reacting with pyridine-barbituric acid to produce a coloured derivative (C13H10N4O6, MW: 318.06 g/mol). This protocol also involves the selection of a suitable solvent and optimizing the pH for sensitive/accurate quantification of cyanide impurity. Mass spectrometry confirms cyanide derivatization as part of the orthogonal procedure comparison of ICH Q2 (R2). Method validation follows ICH Q2 (R2) guidelines in determining specificity, LOD (0.396 ppm), LOQ (1.200 ppm), linearity (1.2-45 ppm), and recovery (91-99% with %RSD<10%) of the method. The stability of the pyridine-barbituric acid reagent and derivatized compound was also evaluated. This approach effectively measures cyanide in water-insoluble drugs, meeting essential regulatory standards. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the digital age, viral marketing has emerged as a key driver in shaping brand equity, particularly in the highly competitive Egyptian home appliances sector. Traditional marketing strategies have proven insufficient in reaching consumers with the same efficacy as viral campaigns, which leverage digital platforms and consumer networks. This study examines the influence of viral marketing on brand equity dimensions – brand awareness, perceived quality, brand loyalty, and brand association – through the lens of both customer perception and legal frameworks Using a quantitative research design, data were collected from 270 respondents across 389 companies, with a response rate of approximately 70% of the total population in Egypt’s home appliances sector, with simple linear regression analysis employed to assess the relationships. The results indicate a strong positive effect of viral marketing on brand equity. Specifically, viral marketing accounts for 27.2% of the variance in brand awareness (R² = 0.272, p < 0.001), 28.1% in perceived quality (R² = 0.281, p < 0.01), 13.6% in brand loyalty (R² = 0.136, p < 0.05), and 40.9% in brand association (R² = 0.409, p < 0.001). Furthermore, the study finds that regulatory compliance plays a moderating role, ensuring that viral marketing campaigns remain within ethical and legal bounds, thereby enhancing consumer trust and the long-term impact of marketing efforts.These findings highlight the strategic value of integrating viral marketing with a firm understanding of legal frameworks to optimize brand equity in Egypt’s home appliances industry. This research provides actionable insights for brand managers and marketers looking to maximize the efficacy of their viral campaigns while maintaining brand integrity. AcknowledgmentThe authors are thankful to the Deanship of Graduate Studies and Scientific Research at University of Bisha for supporting this work through the Fast-Track Research Support Program.

Growing AI readership (proxied for by machine downloads and ownership by AI-equipped investors) motivates firms to prepare filings friendlier to machine processing and to mitigate linguistic tones that are unfavorably perceived by algorithms. Loughran and McDonald (2011) and BERT available since 2018 serve as event studies supporting attribution of the decrease in the measured negative sentiment to increased machine readership. This relationship is stronger among firms with higher benefits to (e.g., external financing needs) or lower cost (e.g., litigation risk) of sentiment management. This is the first study exploring the feedback effect on corporate disclosure in response to technology. Authors have furnished an Internet Appendix , which is available on the Oxford University Press Web site next to the link to the final published paper online. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Building on administrative data and machine-learning models, I develop a firm-specific measure of regulatory intensity: cost of compliance with all federal paperwork regulations. Regulatory intensity increases the cost of goods sold and overhead spending (SGA). It also incentivizes companies to reduce capital investment, hire fewer employees, and lobby more. The effects are particularly strong among financially constrained firms and those with irreversible investment opportunities, suggesting that regulation affects companies through budgetary pressures and heightened uncertainty. The findings highlight the real effects of regulation and the underlying mechanisms. Authors have furnished an Internet Appendix , which is available on the Oxford University Press Web site next to the link to the final published paper online. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is using Remote Interactive Evaluations (RIE) to assess regulatory compliance, review submission material, or determine the timing of future inspections. Here, we look at some of the impacts of RIE on GxP laboratories. Although RIE is voluntary, is this an offer that you cannot refuse?, Since the pandemic, changes have occurred in the regulatory oversight of GxP laboratories because of travel restrictions or country access. Instead of an inspection (physical entry to a facility) via [...]