Freedom Of Movement Research Articles

Marriages across borders within the European Union

The present paper tackles the issue of the recognition of cross-border marriages and their effects within the European Union. The current praxis allows interesting remarks on the cross-border effects of foreign marriages and their recognition in the perspective of the rights to free movement and to family life. In this framework, the paper scrutinizes a potential definition of the marriage, whether according to EU free movement law or to European human rights law. Due to the lack of a commonly accepted definition, it tests the classic approach to the circulation of foreign documents and certificates, i.e. the conflict of laws perspective. Leading on, it analyses the more fashionable method of the mutual recognition of situations created abroad, as modelled by some States and tested in some cases by the European Courts, too. Despite important advantages, this method does not seem easily accepted for the circulation of the status of spouse(s) and of the institution of marriage. With the aim to push towards enhanced free movement rights and strengthened human rights, the present paper offers some final remarks regarding the legal value of (international) family law in the framework of a social Constitution of the EU.

Probing the interaction of an antiviral drug 8-methoxy-3-nitro-2-(4-methoxyphenyl)-2H-chromene (MNC) with DNA by experimental and computational approach

Deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) is a major target in research pertaining to antiviral and anticancer therapies since it is the principal genetic material that controls vital biological functions. The complex relationship between calf thymus DNA (ct-DNA) and 8-Methoxy-3-nitro-2-(4-methoxyphenyl)-2H-chromene (MNC), an anticancer drug derivative of 2-aryl-3-nitro-2H-chromenes, is explored in this work. Using various spectroscopic methods such as fluorescence, circular dichroism (CD), UV–visible, isothermal titration calorimetry (ITC) experiment, and molecular docking calculations, this study elucidates the binding characteristics and affinity between MNC and ct-DNA. Through predominant groove binding and moderate intercalation, MNC demonstrates a complicated binding pattern with DNA at the minor groove, as shown by the UV–Vis spectra and emission-based dye displacement investigations. DNA undergoes a little conformational change that MNC induces, as shown by CD spectroscopy. The thermodynamics parameters such as the binding constant, binding enthalpy, and binding free energy of DNA-MNC interaction, as calculated by the ITC experiment, were approximately ∼ 104 M−1, −26 kcal mol−1, and 6 kcal/mol, respectively. The binding process is enthalpy driven implying a stabilizing contact of MNC with DNA and the entropic penalty (−TΔS = +20.1 kcal mol−1) points to a reduction in the degree of freedom of movement. The molecular docking investigation also estimates the similar interaction energy and binding locations of MNC with DNA. Interestingly, MNC attaches to the surface of the DNA via electrostatic interactions; a stronger attachment through van der Waals and hydrophobic contacts within the minor groove follows this. These studies are anticipated to provide researchers with important direction for designing new drug molecules for further biomolecular investigations.

Association between freedom of movement and health of nursing home residents with dementia: an exploratory longitudinal study

BackgroundLocked doors remain a common feature of dementia units in nursing homes (NHs) worldwide, despite the growing body of knowledge on the negative effects of restricted freedom on residents. To date, no previous studies have explored the health effects of opening locked NH units, which would allow residents to move freely within the building and enclosed garden. This study examines the association between increased freedom of movement and the health of NH residents with dementia.MethodsThis longitudinal, pre-post study involved a natural experiment in which NH residents with dementia (N = 46) moved from a closed to a semi-open location. Data on dimensions of positive health were collected at baseline (T0; one month before the relocation), at one (T1), four (T2) and nine (T3) months after the relocation. Linear mixed models were used to examine changes in positive health over time.ResultsCognition, quality of life and agitation scores improved significantly at T1 and T2 compared to the baseline, while mobility scores decreased. At T3, improvements in agitation and quality of life remained significant compared to the baseline. Activities of daily living (ADL) and depression scores were stable over time.ConclusionsIncreasing freedom of movement for NH residents with dementia is associated with improved health outcomes, both immediately and over time. These findings add to the growing evidence supporting the benefits of freedom of movement for the overall health of NH residents with dementia.

Freedom of speech in universities: between competence and geopolitics

Academic freedoms, including freedom of speech, were one of the fundamental pillars of the university system. They allowed the European medieval society to consolidate and form nation-states. But in their competition, freedom of speech was seen by the authorities as an obstacle to achieving world leadership. With the end of the Cold War, the perception of freedom of speech changed, on the one hand enhancing the freedom of movement of students, but on the other hand limiting it to a utilitarian approach to learning.

Transfers as a Means to Mitigate COVID-19 Impacts on Food Security: Evidence from Refugee and Host Communities Uganda

Uganda is home to some 1.5 million refugees. Its self-reliance policy welcomes refugees with freedom of movement and work; a piece of land for building a house and home-gardening; and social protection (food and cash transfers). While a progressive refugee policy, the onset of COVID-19 may complicate its effectiveness. This paper investigates the role of food and cash transfers in meeting negative consequences of the pandemic for both host and refugee communities. We do so by using a unique panel dataset covering the period from 2019 to 2021. Our evidence suggests that although transfers were widely used in refugee settlements prior to COVID-19, their use did not expand within the refugee nor host communities at the onset of the pandemic and, in fact, the transfer amounts declined. The evidence does not suggest that either form of transfer has a strong effect on food security or resilience although there is some evidence that cash transfers facilitate resilience. However, food transfers are associated with maintaining or increasing food security while cash transfers are more closely associated with resilience. Furthermore, food transfer seem to outperform cash transfers in responding to COVID-19 particularly when income loss due to COVID-19 is reported.

Comfort Value Of Kartika Sukabumi Hospital Lobby

The comfort of the hospital lobby is very influential in ensuring that health services in the hospital run optimally. Comfortable lobby conditions can reduce anxiety when patients have to wait their turn to be examined or wait for medicine from the pharmacy. Apart from that, the comfortable lobby creates optimism for recovery for patients and their families, including medical personnel who work at the hospital. This research aims to measure how significant the influence of room comfort, thermal comfort, visual comfort and audio comfort is on the comfort of the lobby room seen from the architectural design of the room. The benefits of the research enrich the results of previous research that building comfort variables influence the dynamics of perceptions of physical comfort. The research uses quantitative methods and data collection techniques are carried out by direct observation and questionnaires that are distributed to hospital visitors, managers, medical teams and patients. Data were analyzed using descriptive quantitative methods to assess the comfort level of the hospital lobby. From the results of this research, it is concluded that the aspect of freedom of movement has the greatest influence on the comfort level of the lobby space, so it must be taken into consideration when designing a hospital lobby that is comfortable for visitors.

Exploring 3D printing with magnetic materials: Types, applications, progress, and challenges

3D printing, also known as additive manufacturing (AM), represents a rapidly evolving technological field capable of creating distinctive products with nearly any irregular shape, often unattainable using traditional techniques. Currently, the focus in 3D printing extends beyond polymer and metal structural materials, garnering increased attention towards functional materials. This review conducts an analysis of published data concerning the 3D printing of magnetic materials. The paper provides a concise overview of key AM technologies, encompassing vat photopolymerization, selective laser sintering, binder jetting, fused deposition modeling, direct ink writing, electron beam melting, directed energy deposition and laser powder bed fusion. Additionally, it covers magnetic materials currently utilized in AM, including hard magnetic Nd–Fe–B and Sm–Co alloys, hard and soft magnetic ferrites, and soft magnetic alloys such as permalloys and elect­rical steels. Presently, materials produced through 3D printing exhibit properties that often fall short compared to their counterparts fabricated using conventional methods. However, the distinct advantages of 3D printing, such as the fabrication of intricately shaped individual parts and reduced material wastage, are noteworthy. Efforts are underway to enhance the material properties. In specific instances, such as the application of metal-polymer composites, the magnetic properties of 3D-printed products generally align with those of traditional analogs. The review further delves into the primary fields where 3D printing of magnetic products finds application. Notably, it highlights promising areas, including the production of responsive soft robots with increased freedom of movement and magnets featu­ring optimized topology for generating highly homogeneous magnetic fields. Furthermore, the paper addresses the key challenges associated with 3D printing of magnetic products, offering potential approaches to mitigate them.

Exploring the relationship between color and form in the design of women’s Latin dance costumes

This article delves into the complex world of designing women's Latin dance costumes, highlighting the paramount importance of harmonizing current fashion trends with the essential requirements of comfort, flexibility, and the need to emphasize the dancer's graceful movements. The objective of this study was to create few models of Latin dance costumes. To forecast how the users and viewers would perceive Latin dance outfits, an on-line survey was conducted. A regression model was applied to analyze how color and shape interact in the creation of Latin dance costumes. The article focuses on key aspects of costume design, covering an in-depth study of silhouettes and colors and their perception by viewers. Designers are encouraged to focus their creative efforts on prioritizing the comfort and freedom of movement of the dancers, adapting to ever-evolving societal and cultural changes, and exploring innovative solutions to overcome the challenges and limitations inherent in costume creation. The regression model can be used to predict with enough accuracy users' and viewers' opinions on the use of Latin dance costumes. Embracing these results, designers are ready to produce remarkable, comfortable clothing patterns that authentically capture the splendor and diversity of Latin dance culture.

The Free Movement of People in SADC

The Southern African Development Community (SADC) member states committed under Article 5(2) (d) of the SADC Treaty to develop policies aimed at the progressive elimination of the obstacles to the free movement of capital, labour, goods and services. The 2005 SADC Protocol on the Movement of People was celebrated as a giant step towards the realization of the regional integration objective of building SADC into a regional community that is fully integrated where citizens enjoy the freedom of movement across regional borders. Whilst substantial efforts have been invested in developing various legal and policy frameworks to open up borders for the free movement of people within SADC, thirty (30) years since the formation of SADC in April 1980 as the Southern African Development Coordination Conference (SADCC); the region is facing serious challenges relating to the free movement of people, migration and labour movement. In reality, SADC member states’ governments have been confronted with serious feasibility challenges, complexities, risks and dilemmas as they attempt to implement commitments made towards the free movement of people in the region, with political, security, economic, strategic, and technical factors often cited as obstacles. This paper sought to critically reflect on the feasibility aspects, policy dilemmas at member state level as well as strategic considerations that stand on the way of free movement of people in SADC. The focus was on examining possibilities, capacities and prospects of SADC member states (in their collectivity and individuality) in addressing the underlying, structural and operational obstacles that are impeding the free movement of people in the region. Secondary data sources are used for analysis, and the three concepts of free movement of people, migration and regional integration provide conceptual lenses for analysis. Findings are key in providing perspectives on how SADC member states may need to collectively address the fundamental questions and issues that facilitate the free movement of people in the region.

Concept Design of a Smart Haptic Suit for a Biological Signal Recognition and Feedback to Human Body Movements

The ultimate purpose of monitoring bio-signals in the form of individually tailored clothing is to monitor an unconstrained bio-signals during the wearer's physiological activities and provide freedom of movement, thereby eliminating inconvenience in workspace of HMI (Human-Machine Interaction) or HRI (Human-Robot Interaction), and healthcare life. In the form of smart clothing for human collaboration industries or everyday life, there is a need to provide new sensitive and high accurate functions to the wearer while also faithfully performing the functions of existing clothing. In this respect, auxetic pattern-based sensors and actuators can be said to be one of the most promising candidates to be combined with smart wearable technology. There is an emerging need to research the concepts of these new sensors and actuators and present a paradigm for clothing research on innovative smart haptic suits. Accordingly, there is a need for a concept of smart haptic system suitable to meet the conditions of sensors and actuators with improved sensitivity, conductivity, and receptivity that can have characteristics such as microporosity, flexibility, and large surface area of nano and micro web structures. When measuring a bio-signal sensing and motion feedback using an electro-active structural pattern, the signal waveform can be confirmed to have a similar signal waveform to the measured signal through direct visual evaluation, and muscle signals for each body part can be measured using a commercialized sensor. The same signal can be confirmed. Through Pearson's correlation analysis using statistical analysis techniques, signal data between nano and micro web structure-based respiration sensors and existing respiration sensors showed significant correlation with each other, indicating respiration obtained from nano and micro web-based sensors. A theoretical model which predicts the actuation stroke of the system based on the material properties of the auxetic SMM (Shape Memory Material) and bias components as well as the geometry of the metamaterial system was developed.

Analysis of foreign scientific relations and business trips of the Riga Medical Institute from 1950 to 1991

Relevance. The relevance of the study lies in the fact that the role of foreign scientific contacts and professors' trips from 1950 to 1991 in the context of bibliographic sources underlines the tasks of the teaching character of the Riga Medical Institute. Since one of the least studied periods in the history of Latvian medicine with its ideological specificity is the period from 1950 to 1991, only individual studies can be found, including the history of the Riga Medical Institute and the Latvian State University in the monograph “From University to University”. The 60-year presence of Latvia in the USSR is often interpreted and idealized in two ways. Purpose. The purpose of the research is to consider the analysis of foreign scientific relations and business trips of the faculty of the Riga Medical Institute in the period from 1950 to 1991 in terms of bibliographic sources. For trips of scientific and teaching staff of the Riga Medical Institute outside the USSR, in the period from the establishment of the RSU until the restoration of the independence of the Republic of Latvia in 1991, is characterized by connection with the political situation of the USSR system in international scientific relations. Methodology. The modern world has great opportunities for international cooperation and freedom of movement. Results. Students and Western scientists lack an understanding of the complex possibilities of scientific and academic staff of the Riga Medical Institute for scientific communication with researchers outside the USSR. Therefore, this topic has already attracted the attention of other European researchers. Conclusions. Practical significance lies in the updating of problems of foreign scientific relations and business trips of professors and teachers of the Riga Medical Institute in the period from 1950 to 1991 on the basis of new primary sources.

Dijalog država članica sa sudom EU kroz prethodno pitanje s posebnim osvrtom na prethodno pitanje Ustavnog suda RH upućenog sudu EU

The institute of preliminary reference is regulated by the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union (hereinafter: TFEU) and it serves as the sole effective mean of communication between national courts and the EU Court. In addition to its key role in unifying and harmonizing judicial practices, the preliminary reference institute guarantees the effectiveness of judicial protection, implementation of the principles of equality and security, seeking to ensure an equal legal position for all Union citizens. In this paper, the authors elucidate the role of the preliminary reference procedure in the legal order of the European Union (hereinafter: EU), emphasizing the scarce intention of national constitutional courts to refer a preliminary question and their current issues. Taking into account the fact that the Constitutional Court of the Republic of Croatia posed a preliminary question to the EU Court for the first time in April 2023, a process that is still ongoing, the authors analyze the submitted request, problematizing the potential elements of discrimination regarding the freedom of movement of students studying at foreign universities, referring to related examples from the EU Court’s case law.

THE IMPORTANCE OF WORK IN THE RESTORATION OF DIGNITY: A Right Guaranteed by the Constitution

Globalization meant that distances were shortened and, at all times, technology connected people around the worldand, thus, the work relationship changed due to this technology, it gained new concepts and new opportunities,such as the growth of the home office in times of pandemic. The Federal Constitution, in its preamble, ensures theexercise of social and individual rights, which include human dignity as one of its principles. Human rights arepre-existing rights and only exist in function of man, since it is on him that any and all rights established in orderto ensure the organization of society and restore the dignity of the citizen that were once lost due to offensescommitted. each country is responsible for guaranteeing human rights within its own territory. Each and everycitizen has the right to life; right to health; right to education; right to work; right to housing; freedom of movement(right to come and go); freedom of expression; freedom of opinion; religious freedom.

Emergency Architecture Towards Temporary Educational Facilities for Children of Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in Northern Syria

Internal displacement, often triggered by conflict or natural disasters, has left millions worldwide seeking refuge in temporary settlements. These camps, while providing essential necessities, face design challenges in balancing longevity and the freedom of movement for displaced individuals. Prolonged displacement, particularly for children, raises concerns about educational continuity and social cohesion. This paper explores the concept of fast-deployable shelters for IDPs using recycled maritime containers. The research stems from the observation of a large number of refugee children in all age groups requiring adequate spaces for learning, working, and social interaction. Inspired by the work of the Molham volunteer team, which aids disaster-affected communities, the study aims to propose an affordable and sustainable solution for IDP housing and social spaces. The research employs a mixed-methods approach, combining analysis of case studies and qualitative feedback from IDPs in northern Syria. This approach enables comprehensive insights into the design requirements and social needs of IDPs. The paper proposes a prototype boarding school unit constructed from recycled shipping containers. This design offers several advantages: Fast deployment allows for rapid construction, minimizing disruption to education. Provide an environmentally friendly and cost-effective solution. The modular design allows for flexibility in layout and expansion, catering to varying needs and site conditions. The design incorporates communal spaces to foster social cohesion and promote a sense of normalcy among IDPs. The proposed prototype demonstrates the potential of recycled maritime containers to provide fast-deployable, sustainable, and socially inclusive shelters for IDPs, particularly children.

European Integration of Kosovo: Analysis of the Kosova Constitutional Provisions that Require Harmonization with EU Law

Abstract This paper investigates the constitutional adjustments Kosovo should make in the EU accession process. Because European integration may necessitate fundamental changes in the constitutional principles, the paper will address them by offering concrete solutions to issues such as the primacy of EU law and the transfer of sovereignty. Issues related to human rights, such as the right to vote and to stand as a candidate at municipal elections and the right to freedom of movement. The path followed by other countries in the process of adapting their constitutions to EU law represents a very rich constitutional experience; therefore, this article clarifies concrete issues presented by the Kosovo Constitution.

A qualitative exploration of community mobility experiences of wheelchair users.

Freedom of movement, which is dependent on community mobility, is a key contributor to good quality of life and important in the establishment of a person's community identity. To describe the community mobility experiences of wheelchair users who lived in a socio-economically challenged setting. The study setting was Paarl, a peri-urban area of the Western Cape province of South Africa. This article reports findings from phase 1 (a reflection on past community mobility and minibus taxi use experiences) of cycle 1 of a co-operative inquiry. Nine adult wheelchair users, eight caregivers, six minibus taxi drivers, and four community stakeholders participated. Data were collected during a focus group discussion and analysed using inductive thematic analysis. Four themes, 'Knowledge, attitudes, and actions', 'Natural, manmade and mechanical environmental barriers', 'Health and safety concerns' and 'Poor community participation and quality of life' were identified. The themes showed how difficult an everyday activity like moving around in the community were for wheelchair users, and how that limited their community involvement. Wheelchair users living in a low-income peri-urban area struggled to participate in community activities meaningful to them because various barriers hampered community wheelchair mobility and minibus taxi use. The findings regarding community mobility struggles and specifically minibus taxi access guided specific recommendations and the further phases and cycles of the co-operative inquiry. The purpose of the co-operative inquiry was to allow co-researchers to find their voice and develop solutions to minibus taxi access for wheelchair users.

Steerable DROP-IN radioguidance during minimal-invasive non-robotic cervical and endometrial sentinel lymph node surgery.

The recently introduced tethered DROP-IN gamma probe has revolutionized the way robotic radioguided surgery is performed, fully exploiting the nature of steerable robotic instruments. Given this success, the current first-in-human study investigates if the DROP-IN can also provide benefit in combination with steerable non-robotic instruments during conventional laparoscopic surgery, showing equivalence or even benefit over a traditional rigid gamma probe. The evaluation was performed in ten patients during laparoscopic cervical (n = 4) and endometrial (n = 6) cancer sentinel lymph node (SLN) procedures. Surgical guidance was provided using the hybrid, or bi-modal, SLN tracer ICG-99mTc-nanocolloid. SLN detection was compared between the traditional rigid laparoscopic gamma probe, the combination of a DROP-IN gamma probe and a steerable laparoscopic instrument (LaproFlex), and fluorescence imaging. The gynecologists experienced an enlarged freedom of movement when using the DROP-IN + LaproFlex combination compared to the rigid laparoscopic probe, making it possible to better isolate the SLN signal from background signals. This did not translate into a change in the SLN find rate yet. In both cervical and endometrial cancer combined, the rigid probe and DROP-IN + LaproFlex combination provided an equivalent detection rate of 96%, while fluorescence provided 85%. We have successfully demonstrated the in-human use of steerable DROP-IN radioguidance during laparoscopic cervical and endometrial cancer SLN procedures, expanding the utility beyond robotic procedures. Indicating an improved surgical experience, these findings encourage further investigation and consideration on a path towards routine clinical practice and improved patient outcome. HCB/2021/0777 and NCT04492995; https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT04492995.

COVID-19 vaccine refusal as unfair free-riding

Contributions to COVID-19 vaccination programmes promise valuable collective goods. They can support public and individual health by creating herd immunity and taking the pressure off overwhelmed public health services; support freedom of movement by enabling governments to remove restrictive lockdown policies; and improve economic and social well-being by allowing businesses, schools, and other essential public services to re-open. The vaccinated can contribute to the production of these goods. The unvaccinated, who benefit from, but who do not contribute to these goods can be morally criticised as free-riders. In this paper defends the claim that in the case of COVID-19, the unvaccinated are unfair free-riders. I defend the claim against two objections. First, that they are not unfair free-riders because they lack the subjective attitudes and intentions of free-riders; second, that although the unvaccinated may be free-riders, their free-riding is not unfair.

Freedom of Movement and the Normative Value of the Right to Work in the United Kingdom Post-Brexit

Abstract A new legal order has arisen in the United Kingdom (‘UK’) following that country's withdrawal from the European Union (‘EU’). Nowhere are these changes more evident than in the complex rules that have emerged in the fields of freedom of movement and the right to work. In evaluating the new legal landscape, this Article has two overarching aims. The first is to assess the level of protection granted to the right to work and associated free movement rights within EU and UK law, including the terms of the EU-UK Withdrawal Agreement. The second aim is to examine the extent to which those right to work rules are reflective of the status of the right to work as a fundamental social right. It is argued that Brexit unmoors the right to work from EU free movement rules, thereby undermining the normative value of that right, while exacerbating flaws in domestic rules governing access to employment for both national and migrant workers.

A narrative review of current and future of Unilateral Biportal Endoscopic (UBE) transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion

With the ongoing development of Unilateral Biportal Endoscopic (UBE) spine surgery, it has become standard of care at many centers across the globe for lumbar decompressions and discectomies due to minimal muscle damage, minimal postoperative back pain and early recovery. In UBE, the separation of viewing portal and working portal allows greater freedom of movement for the surgical instruments as the camera and instruments move independently providing unrestricted vision. Moreover, the continuous irrigation fluid pressure decreases bleeding and helps to irrigate out the bone debris. Hence, UBE spine surgery has become quite popular and has expanded its indications to lumbar spinal fusion. The adoption of UBE for conventional spine surgeons into their routine practice is relatively easier than uniportal endoscopy because of use of standard arthroscopic lenses, familiar view of anatomy, and use of conventional open spinal instruments. In this article, we review the current literature and discuss the indications, contraindications, clinical outcomes, complications and compare it with existing minimally invasive transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion.