Free Movement Research Articles

Role of hypoxia-mediated pyroptosis in the development of extending knee joint contracture in rats

Joint contracture is one of the common diseases clinically, and joint capsule fibrosis is considered to be one of the most important pathological changes of joint contracture. However, the underlying mechanism of joint capsule fibrosis is still controversial. The present study aims to establish an animal model of knee extending joint contracture in rats, and to investigate the role of hypoxia-mediated pyroptosis in the progression of joint contracture using this animal model. 36 male SD rats were selected, 6 of which were not immobilized and were used as control group, while 30 rats were divided into I-1 group (immobilized for 1 week following 7 weeks of free movement), I-2 group (immobilized for 2 weeks following 6 weeks of free movement), I-4 group (immobilized for 4 weeks following 4 weeks of free movement), I-6 group (immobilized for 6 weeks following 2 weeks of free movement) and I-8 group (immobilized for 8 weeks) according to different immobilizing time. The progression of joint contracture was assessed by the measurement of knee joint range of motion, collagen deposition in joint capsule was examined with Masson staining, protein expression levels of HIF-1α, NLRP3, Caspase-1, GSDMD-N, TGF-β1, α-SMA and p-Smad3 in joint capsule were assessed using western blotting, and the morphological changes of fibroblasts were observed by transmission electron microscopy. The degree of total and arthrogenic contracture progressed from the first week and lasted until the first eight weeks after immobilization. The degree of total and arthrogenic contracture progressed rapidly in the first four weeks after immobilization and then progressed slowly. Masson staining indicated that collagen deposition in joint capsule gradually increased in the first 8 weeks following immobilization. Western blotting analysis showed that the protein levels of HIF-1α continued to increase during the first 8 weeks of immobilization, and the protein levels of pyroptosis-related proteins NLRP3, Caspase-1, GSDMD-N continued to increase in the first 4 weeks after immobilization and then decreased. The protein levels of fibrosis-related proteins TGF-β1, p-Smad3 and α-SMA continued to increase in the first 8 weeks after immobilization. Transmission electron microscopy showed that 4 weeks of immobilization induced cell membrane rupture and cell contents overflow, which further indicated the activation of pyroptosis. Knee extending joint contracture animal model can be established by external immobilization orthosis in rats, and the activation of hypoxia-mediated pyroptosis may play a stimulating role in the process of joint capsule fibrosis and joint contracture.

Fluid Structure Interaction Analyses of Elevated Storage Tank under Seismic Load

Elevated storage tanks are used to store fresh and waste water, cereal, oil and petrochemical materials. Therefore they serve in a wide area of utilization in this day and age. Analysis of a half full with water elevated storage tank is performed in the scope of this study. The structure is composed of a steel circular storage tank and frame typed steel stager. The structure is under the effect of earthquake loads as well as operational ones. Numerical model is generated by Finite Elements Analysis (FEA) software including fluid and structure parts. The interaction of the parts is provided by Coupled Eulerian Lagrangian (CEL) technique. While the structure constitutes the Lagrangian part, the fluid constitutes the Eulerian part. Interaction of Eulerian and Lagrangian parts are provided by general contact algorithms. Free surface movement of the water, maximum displacements and natural frequency values with related mode shapes of the structure are obtained after numerical analysis. Numerical results are verified by semi-analytical model, where the structure is modelled as single degree of freedom system. The accordance between results is numerically and visually obtained. The turbulent movement of water under the influence of an earthquake is modelled by utilizing the CEL technique. So, the effect of the dynamic pressure induced by the turbulence on the tank and the structural system has been taken into consideration.

Multi-Functional PEDOT:PSS as the Efficient Perovskite Solar Cells.

Poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) (PEDOT), particularly in its complex form with poly(styrene sulfonate) (PEDOT:PSS), stands out as a prominent example of an organic conductor. Renowned for its exceptional conductivity, substantial light transmissibility, water processability, and remarkable flexibility, PEDOT:PSS has earned its reputation as a leading conductive polymer. This study explores the unique effects of two additives, Bisphenol A diglycidyl ether (DGEBA) and Dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO), on the PSS component of PEDOT:PSS films are shown. Both additives induce grain size growth, while DGEBA makes the PEDOT:PSS layer hydrophobic, which acts as a passivation to protect the perovskite layer, which is vulnerable to moisture. The other additive, DMSO, separates the PSS groups, resulting in increased conductivity through the free movement of holes. With these multi-modified p-type PEDOT:PSS, the ITO/M-PEDOT:PSS/Perovskite/PCBM/Ag structured reverse structure solar cell has improved the power conversion efficiency (PCE) from 15.28% to 17.80% compared to the control cell with conventional PEDOT:PSS. It also maintains 90% for 500h at 60°C and 300h at 1 sun illuminating conditions.

Exploring how arm movement moderates the effect of lower limb muscle fatigue on dynamic balance in healthy youth

BackgroundIn young adults, there is evidence that free arm movements do not help to compensate muscle fatigue-induced deteriorations in dynamic balance performance. However, the postural control system in youth is immature, and as a result, the use of arm movements may provide a compensatory “upper body strategy” to correct fatigue-related balance impairments. Thus, the purpose of the present study was to compare the effects of free vs. restricted arm movement on dynamic balance performance prior and following exercise-induced muscle fatigue.MethodsForty-three healthy youth (19 females; mean age: 12.8 ± 1.9 years) performed the Y Balance Test–Lower Quarter before and immediately after a fatiguing exercise (i.e., repetitive vertical bipedal box jumps until failure) using two different arm positions: free (move the arms freely) and restricted (keep the arms akimbo) arm movement.ResultsMuscle fatigue (p ≤ 0.033; 0.10 ≤ ηp2 ≤ 0.33) and restriction of arm movement (p ≤ 0.005; 0.17 ≤ ηp2 ≤ 0.46) resulted in significantly deteriorated dynamic balance performance. However, the interactions between the two did not reach the level of significance (p ≥ 0.091; 0.01 ≤ ηp2 ≤ 0.07).ConclusionOur findings indicate that the use of an “upper body strategy” (i.e., free arm position) has no compensatory effect on muscle fatigue-induced dynamic balance deteriorations in healthy youth.

Effective enforcement of the EU framework on the posting of workers: Empirical evidence

This article addresses the issue of effective enforcement of EU labour law by looking at the case study of the enforcement of the EU framework on the posting of workers. While recent years have seen a revival of Social Europe in the form of the European Pillar of Social Rights, scholars have also expressed concern over the effectiveness in practice of transnational labour law, and EU labour law in particular. Rasnača (2022) argues that ineffective enforcement creates a ‘justice gap’ between formal rights on paper and access to these rights in practice. One example of an area of EU labour law plagued by enforcement issues is the posting of workers. It is a peculiar type of intra-EU labour mobility, where posted workers, despite often being EU citizens, cannot benefit from the protection afforded by the EU's fundamental principle of the free movement of workers. As the original Directive 96/71/EC on the posting of workers proved manifestly inadequate to safeguard the rights of posted workers, the EU enacted Directive 2014/67 to improve the framework's enforcement. This article offers an evaluation of the Enforcement Directive based on data collected from 29 qualitative interviews. The effectiveness of the Enforcement Directive will be assessed based on the theoretical framework of precarious work. It will be argued that while the Enforcement Directive has contributed to narrowing the justice gap, posted workers continue to be exposed to precarity.

Cluster synchronization control for the complex network with dynamic connection relations

AbstractIn this article, the cluster synchronization control for a complex dynamic network (CDN) with mutually coupled nodes subsystem (NS) and connection relations subsystem is investigated. The process of cluster synchronization is segmented into three dynamic continuous stages: first, the free movement, then the task‐oriented clustering, and finally the cluster synchronization. The control scheme, founded on the clustering nodes of CDN, is proposed, such that the cluster synchronization arises when clustering all the nodes into two different sub‐networks (SNs). This approach originates from the flight motion for a group of autonomous aircrafts. At a certain moment, free flight is interrupted, and all the aircrafts split into two SNs according to the given clustering rules. Then the two controlled SNs are required to achieve cluster synchronization, that is, every SN converges to the same in speed. In order to split all the nodes into two different SNs, a clustering algorithm according to the “central nodes” is proposed. Based on Lyapunov stability theory, by designing the suitable inner cluster links, the adaptive controller of NS for each SN is synthesized to guarantee the stability of the error system. It is shown that the eventual inner topology of each SN is displayed in the pre‐given form when the cluster synchronization achieves. Finally, the merits and effectiveness of the proposed control scheme are verified by a simulation example.

Heterogenous Panel Modeling on Foreign Direct Investments in E7 Countries

With the spread of free economy conditions, the increase in the international mobility of capital has led to an increase in the number of economies that want to attract capital and the opportunities it will provide. In addition to this, capital owners have started to use free movement opportunities in order to maximize their own benefits. In this context, the factors affecting foreign direct investments including long-term capital flows have been the subject of many empirical studies. In this study which is carried out within the scope of the annual data of E7 economies for the period of 1992-2021, it is aimed to reveal the relationships between net foreign direct investment inflows and unemployment, liberal democracy, public expenditures, foreign direct investment outflows and short-term borrowing. In the study, in which the heterogeneous panel data method based on seemingly unrelated regression analysis was used, it was determined that the realizations under the influence of the selected independent variables differed by countries, but it was found that all the variables included in the analysis had a decisive role on foreign direct investment inflows.

A Continental Free Trade Area in the Absence of the Free Movement of People is Inconceivable

The African Free Trade Continental Agreement (AfCFTA) represents renewed efforts by the current cohort of African leaders to move the continent closer to its self-reliance ambitions, and it aims to build on the foundation laid by the founding fathers of the African Union aimed at achieving a better life for Africans through deeper regional economic integration. Central to achieving the Agreement’s objectives is the realisation of the free movement of persons, which is envisaged to be a vehicle for deeper regional integration. This article provides a brief conceptual analysis of the Free Movement of Persons concept, its benefits in driving regional integration, successes, and the potential challenges that may hinder the full realisation of the AfCFTA’s objectives as a mutually reinforcing agenda. In addition to contributing to existing literature, this article explores whether the Free Movement of Persons is indeed a sine qua non for the success of the AfCFTA. Drawing on lessons from the implementation of other regional trade integration projects, the European Union integration model, in this instance, the article recommends key interventions to bolster implementation efforts.

Freedom of movement: problems of correlation of public-law and private-law approaches

The author of the article examines the essence and nature of freedom of movement as an institution that embodies the idea of freedom in law. She proves that in the Constitution of Ukraine and in the norms of public law in general, freedom of movement is declared as a fundamental freedom of a person and a citizen. The specific content of freedom of movement is revealed through a number of subjective rights, which are defined in the norms of public law. These are the following rights: the right of a person to free and unhindered movement within the territory of Ukraine; the right to leave Ukraine; the right to unimpeded return of a citizen of Ukraine to Ukraine; the right to freely choose the place of residence/stay. At the same time, the Constitution of Ukraine declares the right to freely leave the territory of Ukraine, but the provisions of the special law do not mention "free" departure from the territory of Ukraine, and therefore the special law somewhat narrows the limits of freedom of movement. In contrast to public law, in the norms of private law (in the Civil Code of Ukraine), the right to freedom of movement is enshrined as a subjective civil right, but not a fundamental freedom. The content of this right includes the possibility of free movement on the territory of Ukraine and the right to leave the territory of Ukraine and return (citizens of Ukraine) to Ukraine without hindrance. According to the norms of civil legislation, the right to freedom of movement also includes the ability to freely choose a place of residence, but this applies only to a minor. The author proves the fallacy of this approach and substantiates the conclusions that, firstly, the right to freely choose a place of residence cannot exist without the right to a place of residence; secondly, the possibility to freely choose the place of residence/residence should be included in the content of the right to freedom of movement.

EU policy on agricultural land turnover: general characteristics

EU policy on agricultural land turnover: general characteristics

Long-term continuous monitoring of arrhythmias in pigs with insertable cardiac monitors.

Arrhythmia detection is essential when assessing the safety of novel drugs and therapies in preclinical studies. Many short-term arrhythmia monitoring methods exist, including non-invasive ECG and Holter. However, there are no reliable, long-term, non-invasive, or minimally invasive methods for cardiac arrhythmia follow-up in large animals that allows free movement with littermates. A long follow-up time is needed when estimating the impact of long-lasting drugs or therapies, such as gene therapy. We evaluated the feasibility and performance of insertable cardiac monitors (ICMs) in pigs for minimally invasive, long-term monitoring of cardiac arrhythmias that allows free movement and species-specific behavior. Multiple implantation sites were tested to assess signal quality. ICMs recognized reliably many different arrhythmias but failed to detect single extrasystoles. They also over-diagnosed T-waves, resulting in oversensing. Muscle activity and natural startles of the animals caused noise, leading to a heterogeneous signal requiring post-recording evaluation. In spite of these shortcomings, the ICMs showed to be very useful for minimally invasive long-term monitoring of cardiac rhythm in pigs.

Synthesis of phosphonic acid and amide functionalized core–shell magnetic composite and its mechanisms for synergistic adsorption of thorium from strongly acidic solution

To develop adsorbents for the preeminent extraction of thorium in strongly acidic solutions is very imperative, due to strong inorganic acids are frequently used in the fuel cycle of thorium. Herein, a robust core–shell magnetic nanocomposite Fe3O4@SiO2/P (MBA-VPA-AM) possessing phosphonic acid and amide was developed via distillation-precipitation copolymerization of N, N'-methylene diacrylamide (MBA), vinylphosphonic acid (VPA) with acrylamide (AM) employing Fe3O4 decorated by SiO2 (Fe3O4@SiO2) as magnetic core. Due to the synergistic effect of phosphonic acid and amide ligand, the sorbent could capture thorium from concentrated HNO3 media efficiently, and the maximum adsorption capacity (qmax) at 4 mol L−1 of HNO3 solution reached up to 232.5 mg g−1, superior to that of all magnetic sorbents reported previously. Furthermore, the sorbent displayed good selectivity towards thorium in the presence of competitive metal ions including La3+, Nd3+, and Ce3+. The excellent thorium sorption behavior in strong hydrogen nitrate solution was merely ascribed to the complexation of thorium with phosphonic acid ligand, and the amide ligand could not complex with thorium, evidenced by XPS, FT-IR and DFT method. However, the presence of amide ligand could enhance the hydrophilicity of the sorbent and the free movement degree of phosphonic acid ligand to a certain extent, both of which could help to promote the thorium sorption on the sorbent in strong HNO3 media. Besides, due to its core–shell structure and superparamagnetism, the sorbent not only exhibited excellent acidic resistance in strong acid medias, but could be magnetically recouped, which could avoid tedious centrifugation or filtration of traditional adsorbents. This work provides a novel strategy to develop magnetic sorbent for the preeminent entrapment of thorium from strong acid solutions.

Paddy management controls potassium release from minerals in purple soils after 40 years of cultivation

AbstractThis study explored the mechanisms underlying the release and transformation of potassium from potassium‐rich minerals in paddy soils derived from purple soils. While potassium is abundant in these minerals, it is typically insoluble and inaccessible to plants. The agricultural practices employed in paddy soils may activate insoluble mineral potassium, potentially reducing potassium fertilizer applications. The activation of mineral potassium not only helps alleviate the dependence on soluble potassium fertilizers in rice cultivation, but also contributes to enhancing food security and sustainable agricultural development. Despite these potential benefits, the transformation pathways of mineral potassium in paddy soils remain unclear, posing an important science question that requires further investigation. This study collected data from a long‐term fertilizer experiment of paddy soils derived from purple soils with abundant potassium‐rich minerals (1982–2019, rice‐wheat rotation). The results revealed that paddy management could drive the transformation of potassium in illite minerals in paddy soils and meet the long‐term growth needs of crops. Submergence reduction significantly increased the concentration of positive ions such as Fe2+ and Ca2+ and provided a pathway for the free movement of ions, promoting the substitution of these ions with interlayer potassium of minerals. This substitution and alternating reduction and oxidation conditions played an important role in the transformation of potassium in illite minerals. The study indicates the promising potential for using crushed illite rocks in rice paddies as a substitute for traditional potassium fertilizers.

Generating common spaces through virtual reality telepresence and shared scene synthesis

This study aims to create a shared virtual space for remote telepresence, expanding the range of activities beyond traditional 2D screen-based communication. The challenge lies in seamlessly connecting the virtual and physical environments, enabling free movement and interaction. To address this, in the proposed approach advanced techniques in scene understanding, spatial mapping, and virtual environment generation are employed. Primary data is collected from each participant's space, analyzing crucial information like object placement, room layouts, and interactive elements. This forms the basis for generating a virtual scene that aligns with these features, creating a unified environment. The proposed approach ensures compatibility and meets participants' needs by utilizing a shared function optimization module. Additionally, it enhances the scene further through the use of deep-learning and conditional techniques. The created scene optimally supports shared functionalities for walking, sitting, and working, all of which mirror the physical objects present in the users' actual surroundings. Experiments using the MatterPort3D dataset evaluate the proposed approach, alongside a comparative user study. Results demonstrate the potential of the proposed approach in overcoming challenges of remote telepresence, enabling immersive and interactive experiences in the virtual space. In conclusion, this research tackles the problem of creating a shared virtual space for remote telepresence. Analyzing input data and employing advanced techniques generates a coherent virtual scene.

BEGGING IN THE CONTEXT OF ROMANIAN ROMA MIGRATION

The Roma have been an integral part of European identity and culture for centuries. With Romania's accession to the EU in 2007, the country's largest Roma community so far living in Europe gained the right to free movement. Roma migration soon after Romania's accession began to be perceived as a threat to social policies in the host countries. Security issues were linked to crime incriminated against Roma, the sources of which were seen as begging. As research and development of social policies show, the issue of begging has changed the approach to social problems and intra-EU migration. This article is an overview and is an attempt to outline the most important global trends and directions of research on the phenomenon of begging in the context of Romanian Roma migration to Poland and other selected EU countries. For this purpose, I discuss contemporary research on the definition of begging, showing that this activity should be understood as work and one of the basic human rights. I argue that this problem cannot be solved by criminalizing begging and tightening the controls on migration in EU member states. Such displacement policies only aim to export begging to other countries, without addressing the basic problem of survival of extreme poverty in society. Such activities violate the fundamental rights of Romanian Roma, ignoring socio-political solutions that can counteract poverty, racism and discrimination.

Bordering the COVID-19 Pandemic Through Schengen Visa: Contested Policies and Persistent Effects for Mobility Rights

Visa regimes were key global mechanisms of the COVID-19 pandemic governance. Many nationals, both from the Global South and North, were subject to the several visa regulations during the pandemic. Whilst nationals of the Global North could regain their visa-free travel rights in the further phases, the others are still entrapped in the visa regimes, just like the pre-pandemic period. Considering visa’s global importance for border regulations in the (post-) pandemic period, what has changed for mobility rights of the visa applicants? This study examines changes in mobility rights for visa applicants during and after the pandemic, focusing on Schengen visa regime from March 2020 to June 2023. Our argument is twofold: first, the EU temporarily but substantially changed visa policies in the name securing the public health and free movement in(to) the Schengen area. However, these policies for securing mobility also created administrative gray zones that include new travel restrictions, confusions as well as strategic spaces for accessing to the mobility rights. Second, ongoing visa issuance practices and application process problems since the pandemic reveal a regression in the mobility rights lasting in the (post-)pandemic period. Hence, this article offers a more nuanced account of mobility rights by shedding light on the Schengen visa regime which will continue to play substantial roles in the EU’s border management system in the post-pandemic period.

Remittance and Macroeconomic Performance in Top Migrating Countries

Globalization opens up economies and encourages the free movement of persons and factors of production. Diaspora investors and workers earn income in the process and make remittances to the migrating countries. We examine the impact of the remittance inflow on the macroeconomic performance of top emigrating countries, which comprise nine emerging and two advanced economies. We conduct group and individual country analyses with distinct econometric models (Feasible Quasi Generalized Least Squares and Dynamic Common Correlated Effects) using data between 1987 and 2021. The results reveal positive impact of remittance inflows on nominal GDP and nominal GDP per capita and on real GDP and real GDP per capita, although evidence on the latter is weaker. In all, the emigrating countries can benefit from diaspora remittance in terms of improved productivity and macroeconomic performance. We therefore recommend better systems to facilitate remittance receipt and policies to channel such flows more into investment activities.

Northern Ireland and the United Kingdom Internal Market

Post-Brexit Northern Ireland occupies a unique position in the internal market of the United Kingdom due, primarily, to the Protocol on Ireland / Northern Ireland, or Windsor Framework. Agreed as part of the UK-EU Withdrawal Agreement, the Protocol/Windsor Framework provides that EU Single Market rules concerning the free movement of goods, customs, VAT, state aid and energy markets, continue to apply in Northern Ireland, despite it having formally left the EU along with the rest of the UK. To allow for the domestic implementation of the novel arrangements for post-Brexit Northern Ireland, set out in the Protocol/Windsor Framework, the UK Internal Market (UKIM) Act 2020 includes a series of specific provisions that except goods entering and leaving Northern Ireland from the ‘market access principles’ established by the UKIM Act 2020 in certain circumstances. This commentary introduces the UKIM Act 2020 then presents a review of its provisions that are specifically dedicated to post-Brexit Northern Ireland. Written in September 2023 the analysis then provides an assessment of the implications of measures agreed between the UK and EU laid down in the Windsor Framework texts which were published in February of this year. Based on the analysis of the UKIM Act 2020 set against the backdrop of the Protocol, then Windsor Framework, the commentary argues that the position of Northern Ireland post-Brexit is not only newly unique but also newly consequential for those both inside and outside its borders.

Stabilization of a Photoradiated Naphthalene Diimide-Based Organic Radical Anion Inside a Peptide-Based Gel Matrix with an Improvement of Optoelectronic Properties.

An amino acid-conjugated naphthalene diimide (NDI)-based highly red fluorescent radical anion has been found in a water medium under the photoradiated condition. This molecule has failed to form the radical anion in the monomeric state; however, the J aggregation in the aqueous medium has ensured the formation of radical anion in the ambient condition after the irradiation of both sunlight and UV light exposure. Electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) studies clearly suggest the formation of radical anions. Herein, the stability of the radical anion in the aqueous medium is only a few minutes as a small amount of shaking is enough to quench the radical anion in the solution state. Furthermore, the incorporation of this molecule into a peptide-based hydrogel matrix and the consequent photoirradiation have not only helped to develop radical anion in the gel matrix but also increased the enormous stability of the radical anion inside the hydrogel matrix even for 30 days. It is envisaged that the formation of the radical anion within the gel matrix prevents the free movement of the NDI molecules and restricts the diffusion of molecular oxygen in the system, which leads to the stability of the radical anions in the gel. Moreover, the stability of the radical anion within the gel has helped to enhance the conductivity of the hybrid gel to a great extent. Interestingly, the radical anion-containing hybrid hydrogel has shown a potential photoswitching property.

Enabling free movement but restricting domestic policy space? The price of mutual recognition

AbstractFree movement of goods within the EU is guaranteed via mutual recognition: any product lawfully produced in one member state must also be accepted in all other member states. While unleashing economic benefits from trade without regulatory barriers, mutual recognition potentially limits member states' ability to address societal concerns with regard to production conditions. This hypothesis is addressed via the case of farm animal welfare in Germany, combining a thorough policy analysis with 20 elite interviews. The results demonstrate how the discourse of inner‐European competition has discouraged policymakers to adopt stricter legislation over the past three decades, exemplifying the impeding effect of mutual recognition on member states' policies. Understanding these mechanisms is vital for handling regulatory diversity within integrated markets and offers insights into similar policy areas. This research contributes to the broader issue of national sustainability standards in a globalized world, where collective preferences increasingly collide with economic goals.