This article argues that the global Business and Human Rights movement demonstrates a push towards a human-rights type of sustainable corporation, reconciling economic development and human rights. It explains the necessity for and significance of a definition of a sustainable corporation at the intersection of traditional international human rights and sustainable development instruments. It argues, inter alia, that an internationally recognised definition of a sustainable corporation can settle fundamental questions and create a minimal framework for meaningful discourse on corporate accountability for human rights, climate change and the environment. It identifies difficulties of defining a sustainable corporation such as the integration problem. It suggests ‘direct human rights obligation’ as a minimally sufficient normative criterion for the definitional correctness of a sustainable corporation. The suggested definition of sustainable corporation requires taking a normative position which makes the term ‘essentially contested’ resulting in discursive and behavioural norm contestation in the search for definitional determinacy and consensus within the divide between international and domestic law.

This study presents the control of an omnidirectional automated guided vehicle (AGV) with mecanum wheels using a hybrid optimization algorithm that combines a modified A* algorithm and the dynamic window approach (ADWA-HO). The method ensures efficient and precise navigation in both static and dynamic environments. The modified A* algorithm generates global paths, removes redundant nodes, and refines trajectories to improve efficiency and smoothness. At the same time, the dynamic window approach (DWA) enables real-time local path planning and obstacle avoidance. By evaluating the AGV’s motion commands in real time, ADWA-HO selects optimal velocity commands within a dynamically updated window, thereby reducing route conflicts and ensuring stable movement. Compared with benchmark methods including dynamic A* (D*), artificial potential field (APF), DWA, probabilistic roadmap (PRM) & rapidly exploring random tree (RRT) fusion, and PRM & DWA fusion, the proposed ADWA-HO achieves improvements in average path length of 28.10%, 22.95%, 21.16%, 17.35%, and 10.71% and in average motion time of 23.48%, 17.85%, 15.47%, 11.86%, and 7.53% on both Map 1 and Map 2, respectively. The difference between simulation and real-world experiments is limited to 5.35% in path length and 4.38% in motion time, confirming the method’s practical reliability. Furthermore, the algorithm achieves lower standard deviation in both metrics, indicating higher consistency of performance. This work also introduces a novel map-building strategy based on geometric and semantic data modules, which enhances the adaptability of real-world AGV deployment.

This article discusses the official discourse that appeared in Macau’s Portuguese-language media and the documentaries that were shot there by Portuguese filmmakers in the 1960s and 1970s, especially focusing on the productions that followed the 123 Incident and which largely functioned as a response to it. These riots occurred in December 1966, when Chinese residents of Macau used Cultural Revolution-like protests to contest what they viewed as an inefficient and unfair Portuguese administration. They had a long-lasting and deep impact, weakening Portuguese colonial rule and increasing the influence of the People’s Republic of China (PRC) and local Maoists in Macau. In an attempt to counter the image-damage caused by the incident and legitimise Portuguese sovereignty in the territory during what was its worst crisis in the post-war period, Portuguese official discourse and these films came to promote Macau as a site of ‘miraculous’ development and modernisation that had as its basis Luso-Chinese partnership. Furthermore, Macau was advocated as an exemplary case of good neighbourhood policy towards the PRC and of coexistence at all levels, particularly ethnically and politically. This, it was suggested, made it a unique place and a model for the world in a time of cold war.

A general way to represent stochastic differential equations (SDEs) on smooth manifolds is based on the Schwartz morphism. In this manuscript, we are interested in SDEs on a smooth manifold $M$ that are driven by p-dimensional Wiener process $W_t \in \mathbb{R}^p$ and time $t$. In terms of the Schwartz morphism, such an SDE is represented by a Schwartz morphism that morphs the semimartingale $(t,W_t)\in\mathbb{R}^{p+1}$ into a semimartingale on the manifold $M$. We show that it is possible to construct such Schwartz morphisms using special maps that we call diffusion generators. We show that one of the ways to construct a diffusion generator is by considering the flow of differential equations. One particular case is the construction of diffusion generators using Lagrangian vector fields. Using the diffusion generator approach, we also give the extended Itô formula (also known as generalized Itô formula or Itô–Wentzell formula) for SDEs on manifolds.

Collaborative governance among multiple stakeholders is typically essential for conserving complex social-ecological systems. Mexico’s ‘biocultural landscapes’ – a territorial governance initiative – may be seen as pioneering models to promote this. However, actual outcomes depend on the initial conditions, institutional design, leadership and details of the collaborative process. We used a mixed-methods approach combining social network analysis and semi-structured interviews to analyse the structure of the collaboration network within Mexico’s Sierra Occidental Biocultural Landscape (SOBL). Our findings revealed a sparse, low-reciprocity network dominated by a few public managers, indicating potential power imbalances and challenges to building trust. Stakeholder interviews showed misalignments with theoretical collaborative governance including power imbalances, limited inclusiveness and a lack of trust among participants. While the SOBL has achieved collaborative results, such as the community forest fire brigades and the development of land management plans, achieving its full potential as a model for biocultural conservation requires addressing power dynamics and building a more equitable governance structure.

Different cutting intervals can influence crop development. Therefore, knowledge of the interaction between growth factors and soil-plant-atmosphere conditions can contribute to the efficient cultivation of forage cactus. The objective of this study was to evaluate morphophysiological characteristics, production, and water and economic indicators in forage cactus clones subjected to different cutting interval. The study was conducted in Serra Talhada, Pernambuco, in a 3x4 factorial arrangement, with three forage cactus clones (‘Orelha de Elefante Mexicana, OEM’ – Opuntia stricta; ‘Miúda’ and ‘IPA Sertânia’ – Nopalea cochenillifera) and four cutting intervals (6, 9, 12+6 and 18 months) in randomized blocks, with four replications. Biometric and productive measurements were performed to determine the phenophases and cutting times. The components of the soil water balance (SWB) were considered at a depth of 0.60 m and the indicators were analysed. The Absolute Growth Rate - AGR and Relative Growth Rate - RGR were higher for the OEM clone at a interval of 18 months. The highest productions of fresh mass (FM) (286.4 Mg/ha) and dry matter (DM) (21.4 Mg/ha) occurred in the OEM clone regardless of the cutting interval. The MIU clone presented three phenophases. The water use efficiency indicator (*WUEc, 1.5 kg/m3) and crop water productivity (*WPc, 1.3 kg/m3) were improved in treatments with the OEM clone, as well as the gross economic productivity of water via irrigation (PBEAi, 2.98 US$/m3). It is recommended to cultivate the OEM clone of forage cactus, regardless of the cutting interval, to provide greater productivity and economic benefits.

The emergence of the so-called gig economy has reshaped the labor market and, potentially, the politics of the safety net. Much of the American welfare state is based on a traditional model of employment, excluding most gig workers from benefits like subsidized employer-provided health insurance and unemployment insurance. Despite these trends, there is little research on how these changes might affect politics. Are gig workers likely to become a relevant constituency on social welfare and other issues? To address this, we conducted a unique online survey examining policy attitudes and political behaviors among gig workers compared with traditional workers. Our findings indicate that people who view gig work as their “main job” tend to lack access to traditional social insurance and employer-provided benefits, as expected, and rely more on means-tested assistance programs (e.g., food stamps). Consequently, gig workers exhibit higher support than traditional workers for expanding social welfare programs, and are more engaged on issues that affect gig workers. In terms of participation, gig workers are less likely to vote but more likely to engage in nonvoting political activities like protest than traditional workers. This study contributes to the understanding of social welfare politics in the new era of the labor market and highlights a growing constituency for expanding the safety net.

This collection of articles focuses on some instruments that served to finance the expansion of private European trade and enabled the European intermediation of global commerce in the early modern period. Because they were distinct from those featured by the financial modernization of northern European economies -i.e. banks, bills and bonds, they have been conventionally assumed as archaic and lacking the efficiency and productivity gains of the modern vehicles and institutions. However, they coexisted, completed the financial architecture of Europe, and allowed a substantial extra-European commerce whose expansion was at the core of the Smithian growth of the period. Their persistence, scope and geographical reach were central for the expansion and integration of markets in the early modern globalization. Yet, their understanding is confined to micro-case studies of trades that reliant in cash payments and remittances were lagging in the innovations that revolutionized financial markets and long-distance commerce. This view also ignores their relevance even for the very European economy. Whilst the origins preceded the commercial expansion of Europe, research of the European trade finance has mostly focused on institutions of corporate models of trade finance and their institutional spillovers to bonds markets and banking infrastructure that developed exceptionally in some European economies. The alternative instrument common to these contribution was probably more ubiquitous than others more “modern” and persisted despite the flaws associated with its relative “archaism”.

The European Radiation Dosimetry Group (EURADOS) and the WHO’s Radiation Emergency Medical Preparedness and Assistance Network (REMPAN) have collaborated to review best practices for managing radionuclide intakes through wounds. Rapid response and decisions on wound decontamination, tissue excision, and chelation therapy are based on measurements of the exposed individual and preliminary dose assessments using reasonable default assumptions. The goal is to minimize exposure, prevent tissue reactions, and reduce the risk of stochastic effects.

The management of a contaminated wound is always case-specific, but some general procedures typically apply for a proper evaluation of the contamination case. Medical doctors (surgeons and toxicologists) and internal dosimetrists should work together in the management of the contaminated wound case, with internal dosimetrists providing expert advice to aid clinical decision-making and communication with the patient and his/her family. The ISO standard 20031:2020 provides guidelines on the monitoring and dosimetry for internal exposures due to wound contamination with radionuclides. The Clinical Decision Guide was proposed by the National Council on Radiation Protection and Measurements in its Report 161 to assist physicians in making treatment decisions for individuals with internal radionuclide intakes. Best practices for medical treatment, based on previous experience, are presented here.

This paper introduces the concept of symbolic rule of law promotion, which consists of repeated enactments of policy and initiatives equated with advancing the rule of law despite no evidence suggesting actual progress. To demonstrate its existence, US rule of law promotion in Afghanistan is examined as a “least likely” crucial case, from the end of President Obama’s Surge in 2014 to the Taliban’s return in 2021. During this time, Afghanistan— a major foreign policy priority—received the most US rule of law aid of any country globally. Unlike earlier attempts that sought to use the rule of law policy and practice to achieve substantive goals and adapted over time, US rule of law endeavors from 2015 to 2021 were symbolic. Decision makers consistently pursued rule of law strategies, and practitioners implemented initiatives that lacked any prospect of success. Previously unsuccessful strategies and programming were replicated alongside partnerships with disinterested, uncooperative stakeholders. More broadly, symbolic rule of law promotion has potentially significant implications for understanding the persistence of underperforming long-term rule of law efforts elsewhere. To increase the prospects of success, it shows the need to engage with non state justice authorities, support robust accountability mechanisms, and take concerns about state legitimacy seriously.