Freedom Of Movement Research Articles

Capital Movement Restrictions in EU Law: Retrospective and Modern Approaches, Development Trends

Summary This article addresses the issue of establishing the legal framework for freedom of capital movement in the EU, as well as the peculiarities of the current legal regulation of freedom of capital movement between EU Member States, as well as between them and third countries. Authors examine the issues of correlation between freedom of establishment and freedom of capital movement. The restrictions on capital movement between EU Member States and between them and third countries are characterized. The case law of Court of Justice of the European Union on key issues in this area is analysed. The main trends of capital flow restrictions at the present stage are outlined, such as those emerged amidst new realities, including the armed aggression of the Russian Federation against Ukraine, and its impact on the processes of capital flow liberalization in the EU.

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

AbstractA 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.

Care on the move: the gender care gap and intra‐EU mobility

AbstractThe structure, interpretation, and implementation of the European Union (EU) free movement of persons rules mean that when one's circumstances involve caring responsibilities, the quality of one's rights and protections under EU law diminishes. The consequence of this, in the context of the gender care gap, is that women who are exercising their free movement rights and living in another EU member state are exposed to a disproportionately increased risk of legal and physical precarity, poverty, destitution, and exploitation. They face challenges in attaining and retaining rights and are at risk of falling through gaps that exist between legal rules. Furthermore, the gender care gap is not visible. The connection between the gender care gap and the EU free movement rules has not been made by EU policy makers and civil society; there is currently no strategy among EU civil society organizations to represent the lived experience of EU citizens and lobby the EU institutions for progress on gender equality in this regard.

Human Trafficking in Western Balkan: Case Study of Kosovo

Background: The object of this paper is the criminal offence of human trafficking in Kosovo, addressing the negative and illegal phenomenon of this activity. It aims to pay special attention to the detection and prosecution of the perpetrators and the imposition of sentences and other criminal sanctions against them, with the sole purpose of combating and preventing it in society. Also, in this paper, some basic legal-criminal and criminological features of the criminal offence of human trafficking are analysed and treated. Given that this criminal offence represents a serious type of criminality, this study explores how it manifests itself in its consequences on the individual and society. This research conducted on human trafficking in Kosovo is of crucial importance because by studying this negative phenomenon, we can slowly conclude whether the victims were innocent or contributors to the issues leading to their trafficking. Methods: In preparing this research-scientific paper, very significant content for our country is presented using the following methods: comparative, statistical, graphic, historical, analytical, survey and case studies from 1999 to now. Through these research methods and techniques, we have recognised and addressed multiple aspects of the crime of human trafficking. Contrary to the common belief that there are enough studies on the victims of human trafficking and other criminal acts, this is not true. In many cases, the states have quantified the victims of various crimes and other criminal acts solely through numerical measures. The extracted statistics form the basis of data identification and conclusion, as well as determining the recommendations contained in this paper. Results and Conclusions: Trafficking in human beings is one of the most significant crimes of our time and a violation of human rights in itself, and in our work, we have encountered difficulties in coming up with the most adequate and concrete data to prevent and combat this. Phenomenon. Human beings are trafficked for the purpose of forced labour, illegal employment, the entertainment industry, forced and fake marriage, forced prostitution, etc. and this, in our case in the Western Balkans countries, is generally encountered because of socio-economic problems and freedom of movement. Human trafficking is a form of profitable organised crime and is believed to be important because the risk is low and the payoff is high; after drug and weapons trafficking and the prostitution trade comes as a great benefit, in our case, Kosovo, we have come across data from 1999 on how war refugees are abused and how narcotic substances are trafficked and used. The most common form of human trafficking is the trade of human beings for sexual exploitation or the purposes of forced prostitution. This is a challenge in our country because we do not have an adequate law to legalise prostitution. In this case, we have a lot of good organised in the region and Kosovo that abuse, especially minors, for prostitution and the purpose of the work is to issue an adequate law regarding the decriminalisation of prostitution to manage, control, prevent and combat human trafficking. The most frequent victims of this form of trafficking are children and women, who belong to the most vulnerable social groups, according to the data presented in the paper.

The Principle of Equal Treatment in the Google Shopping Case

Abstract This article reflects on the principle of equal treatment as a constant feature that pervades the European Union’s legal order and its specific role in competition law. Throughout history, this principle has been a foundation stone for developing the characteristics, such as freedom of movement, that one would consensually recognise as distinctive features that make the European Union a sui generis political construction. After a brief analysis of the principle’s development and ever-expanding contours, with new instruments emerging along the way and contributing to its importance, we will focus on the application of this principle to competition law. Paying particular attention to the Google Shopping case, we will demonstrate how the general principle of equal treatment remains relevant when confronted with new types of discriminatory abuses.

Media, Security Challenges and the Future of Nigeria: A Theoretical Overview

Security issues in Nigeria have of recent attracted global attention. The country now faces security threats from insurgent groups and bandits including the unknown gunmen that operate in broad day light almost unhindered. These have resulted to massive loss of lives and properties with devastating effects on the economy of the country and freedom of movement. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the challenges posed by the unfolding threats from these enemies of the nation building and how the mass media in Nigeria could help in saving the country from this mess. The study employed literature review method and anchored on the Democratic Peace Theory. The review reveals that Nigerians depend so much on mass media for accurate and timely information about the happenings in the society; the traditional roles of the mass media in any society which are to inform, educate and entertain are so crucial that Nigeria can hardly progress meaningfully without these channels of mass communication; that although the mass media are faced with a lot of challenges in the fight against insecurity in Nigeria, they have significant influence in fighting the menace; the media have not been fully utilised in addressing the security challenges in Nigeria. Based on the findings, the study recommends among others that the government should adopt dialogue and communication based approach in addressing security problems facing the country instead of relying solely on the use of force and stiff measures; Journalists in the media industry should utilise the mass media as agents of social change, and in spite of all odds redouble their efforts in setting agenda for public discussion on the best ways to salvage the country from the quagmire of insecurity; government officials and other relevant authorities should periodically organise media security summit for members of the public to contribute their quota on how to achieve attitudinal change and secure the country from collapse, security agents should work with intelligent information to avoid being victims of insecurity.

The role of Da Vinci Xi robotic simulation curriculum in enhancing skills in robotic colorectal surgery

Robotic surgery in comparison to open and laparoscopic surgery allows better ergonomics, three-dimensional vision, and seven-degree freedom of movement. This ensures fast recovery, fewer postoperative complications, and safe oncological resections. Robotic surgery has revolutionized the field of colorectal surgery, providing surgeons with enhanced precision, dexterity, and visualization. To ensure safe and successful outcomes, surgeons must acquire competency and proficiency in robotic surgical techniques. Robotic simulation exercises have emerged as a valuable tool for training and skill development in robotic colorectal surgery. This research paper explores the importance and relationship between robotic simulation exercises and the acquisition of skills and competency required for carrying out safe colorectal surgery using a robotic platform. The authors discuss the benefits of virtual simulation-based training using the Da Vinci Xi skill simulator, and the evidence supporting its effectiveness in colorectal surgery. In this article, emphasis has been made on some important Da Vinci Xi skill simulator exercises for enhancing skills in robotic colorectal surgery.

A review on smart robotic wheelchairs with advancing mobility and independence for individuals with disabilities

This research paper presents a comprehensive review of smart robotic wheelchairs and their impact on enhancing mobility and independence for individuals with disabilities. Traditional wheelchairs often impose limitations on users, resulting in reduced freedom of movement and limited accessibility. The emergence of smart robotic wheelchairs offers a promising solution to address these challenges. This paper provides an overview of wheelchair technology, identifies the specific challenges faced by individuals with disabilities, and explores the advantages and limitations of smart robotic wheelchairs through a review of previous research studies. The features and functionalities of smart robotic wheelchairs, including navigation and obstacle avoidance capabilities, autonomous and semi-autonomous modes, and customizable control options, are discussed. User experience and performance evaluation, along with the impact on mobility and independence, are examined. The paper concludes with future directions and recommendations to guide further research and development in this important field, aiming to empower individuals with disabilities and improve their quality of life.

Subjective evaluation of source distance in dynamic 2.5D local sound field synthesis

Many loudspeakers are required to reproduce the immersive and physically-accurate sound field up to high frequency. Especially, at high frequency, a limited number of loudspeakers degrade the reproduction accuracy because of spatial Nyquist frequency. When use the same number of loudspeakers, reducing the extent of the reproduction region can improve the reproduction accuracy. However, by narrowing the reproduction region, the extent of movement for the listener is reduced. In our previous studies, we proposed the dynamic reproduction system of local sound field by moving the reproduction region to the listener's current position. Using a limited number of loudspeakers, the proposed system achieved the sound reproduction with high accuracy allowing the freedom of listener movement. In this study, we conduct the subjective evaluation of the dynamic 2.5D local sound field synthesis for sound source distance. Especially, we investigate the distance perception by allowing listeners to move around freely.

How temperature-induced depolymerization and plasticization affect the process of structural relaxation

The self-plasticization, i.e., the increase in the polymer segmental mobility by the inclusion of its own monomer, has a major impact on the structural, thermal, and mechanical properties of the polymer. Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) was used to investigate the influence of thermally induced self-plasticization on the structural relaxation of polydioxanone (PDX). Depolymerization (based dominantly on the end-chain scission mechanism) was found to be controlled by the depolymerization temperature Td as well as the actual number of re-melting cycles (while keeping the time spent at Td constant). PDX samples with the glass transition temperature (Tg) ranging from −52 (highly plasticized) to −13 °C (virgin) were prepared. The DSC data were described in terms of the Tool-Narayanaswamy model; a consistent structural relaxation behavior associating the degree of plasticization with Tg was identified. The activation energy first decreased with plasticization from 430 kJ mol−1 to 210 kJ mol−1 in the Tg range of −40 to −13C, which is consistent with the plasticization-caused spacing-apart of the polymer chains resulting in larger free volume and increased freedom for the relaxation movements. For the highly plasticized PDX samples, the activation energy increased from 210 kJ mol−1 to 310 kJ mol−1, which appears to be associated with the possible segregation of the portion of the plasticizer into a discrete phase. The width of the relaxation times distribution increased with plasticization as a consequence of the plasticizer loosening the polymeric chains and enabling a wider variety of the segmental movement. The plasticization also leads to a higher dependence of the segmental relaxation movements on their current physico-chemical and steric surrounding.

‘For those few minutes you are free’: The meaning of sport from imprisoned men's perspective

Based on an ethnographic study in a German prison, this article explores the question of what meaning incarcerated men attach to sport in light of the loss of freedom and autonomy which according to Sykes are particular ‘pains of imprisonment’. The material shows the following: (1) Incarceration is perceived by imprisoned men as a life under duress and proves to be a stark contrast to life outside prison due to the limited freedom of movement, action and decision making. (2) Sport is a means for incarcerated men to bring back memories of being free and to mentally escape into the time before imprisonment. (3) Sport is one of the few opportunities for imprisoned men to spend time in fresh air, which results in a physically–sensually experienced liberation. (4) Participation in sports enables the incarcerated to temporarily regain freedom of action and decision making. Overall, the findings indicate that sport can best be understood as a help in coping with incarceration. It is concluded from the findings that imprisoned men attach their own meanings to sport, largely detached from the function of sport ascribed by the institution (such as rehabilitation and health promotion).

Breaking Boundaries

Although the pandemic increased the adoption of non-education platforms for teaching, it brought challenges to online higher education. These challenges encompass fatigue from excessive use of video conferencing applications, frustration experienced by instructors when students keep their cameras off during online classes, low student engagement, and notable silence in response to questions or concerns. As digital education and online interaction continue to evolve, the concept of the metaverse has emerged as a potential solution to enhance engagement and collaboration within virtual spaces (Mistretta, 2022). The metaverse, as defined by the Acceleration Studies Foundation, represents the convergence of virtually enhanced physical reality and physical-persisted virtual space (Kye et al., 2021). It constitutes an interactive, three-dimensional virtual environment where individuals can interact with one another and digital entities, mirroring real-life interactions. The metaverse encompasses virtual worlds, online games, social networks, augmented and virtual reality experiences, and more. It blurs the line between the physical and digital realms, allowing for seamless and integrated experiences. Built upon the maturity of technologies such as virtual reality (VR), augmented reality (AR), big data, and blockchain, represents the future of education (Wu & Gao, 2022, cited in George, E. 2023). Hybrid and flexible environments facilitate the integration of these technologies, overcoming physical limitations and enabling students to immerse themselves in a completely virtual environment. Within this environment, students can engage in creative activities that foster learning, critical thinking, collaborative work, socialization, and positively impact student motivation (Almaguer et al., 2021; Burnett et al., 2021; Zhang et al., 2022). Virbela is a virtual reality platform that recreates real-world settings, dynamics, and human interactions in virtual environments. Unlike video conferencing, digital collaboration tools, and online forums, Virbela provides the ability to replicate physical offices, events, or learning spaces while maintaining a sense of community and culture (Virbela, 2023). Tec Virtual Campus is a Tecnologico de Monterrey virtual world created using Virbela. Accessible through a desktop application, this platform offers students a digital space where they can access using customizable avatars and enjoy freedom of movement as if they were on the physical campus (Villanueva, A. 2022). This environment enables the presentation of projects, complete class sessions, participation in forums, organization of educational events, and various other activities, all within an interactive 100% virtual space that utilizes three-dimensional animations and voice-enabled avatars. In this context, we will provide examples of two educational activities implemented within the Virtual Campus for high-enrollment online courses encompassing over 100 students from diverse regions in Mexico. These courses span distinct disciplines: Engineering and Sciences, and Social Sciences and Government. These examples aim to demonstrate that regardless of the subject being studied or course characteristics, this immersive resource can be utilized to add value and innovation to virtual classrooms.

Research on ocean-current-prediction-based virtual mooring strategy for the portable underwater profilers

The Argo Global Ocean Observing Network has remained the preeminent ocean observation network worldwide. Since the Argo buoys lack freedom of lateral movement, their wave-following working characteristics prevent them from completing the long-term observations in the designated sea area. Long-term monitoring of designated waters is often required, for example, to study the impacts of seabed mining on the marine environment in the surrounding sea area. To solve this problem, a portable underwater profiler (PUP) that combines the functionalities of profiling buoys and underwater gliders was devised. The PUP employs a center of gravity adjustment mechanism utilizing the double-weight block approach, enabling the pitch angle adjustment within -90° to 0°. Remarkably, the PUP weighs only 11.25 kg, meeting the requirements for rapid deployment. Furthermore, the prediction method of the ocean current velocity was optimized by employing the full-depth-averaged ocean current velocity instead of the depth-averaged ocean current velocity. To ensure continuous observation operations of the PUP within designated sea areas, a horizontal displacement correction strategy (HDCS) based on the virtual mooring concept is proposed. The effectiveness of the HDCS has been preliminarily validated through simulations and further confirmed through lake trials conducted in Qiandao Lake.

The Rise and Fall of Diplomacy from Below: The Rebel Cooperation of Ya Basta!

ABSTRACT Under what conditions are radical alternatives to state-led diplomacy feasible? Diplomatic studies have so far denied attention to those diplomatic practices taking place without national mediation. Building on the concept of diplomacy from below (DFB), the article aims to understand under what conditions this newly theorised form of alternative diplomacy is possible in contexts of armed violence. To do so, we present the case of the diplomatic action of the (post)autonomist Association Ya Basta! between 1997 and 2004. The study adopts an interpretivist approach, reconstructing activists’ stories along four conflict scenarios (Mexico, Palestine, Colombia, and Iraq). The empirical analysis allowed for formulating a “working hypothesis” according to which DFB is feasible only among groups sharing an ideological background and under minimum-security conditions for freedom of movement and physical integrity. The paper innovates debates on (para)diplomacy and opens a new research agenda on diplomatic interactions between subaltern groups in (post)conflict scenarios.

How freedom of movement infringes on the right to leave

This article contributes to discussions that problematize the recent proliferation of soft law instruments in relation to international migration. The Global Compact for Migration has placed soft norm instruments more formally on the agenda of plausible tools with which to regulate people's movement. I am contributing to these discussions by engaging with the question of how the amalgamation of soft and hard law contributes to and impacts on legal effects, using a postcolonial feminist lens. I do so by focusing on the interaction between freedom of movement and the right to leave in the ECOWAS area, drawing on original research material collected mainly in Abuja, Nigeria, but also in Senegal, Guinea, and The Gambia. It is argued that freedom of movement provisions, as they are promoted by the ECOWAS and largely funded by inter-governmental organizations and European donor countries, end up infringing the right to leave. In a first step, existing norms at international, continental, regional, and national level are discussed to prepare the ground to answer the question how such infringing is done. From this step, I conclude that the triple layers of legal instruments, political instruments, and programming are impairing the intent of the right to leave in the way that a politico-legal landscape is constructed within which programs operationalize freedom of movement. The next step then looks at freedom of movement programming at regional, national, and local levels by asking about the subjectivities that are created—for example the “potential migrant”; by shedding light on practices of resistance—for example in how national governments use diplomacy to disengage; and by highlighting how “home patch” talk renders those potential migrants leaving not just implausible but suspect. It is found that, in the legal and political context of West Africa, soft norms thrive. The GCM constitutes an unhelpful list of random contradictory approaches that orient ideas, policy initiatives, programs, and ultimately people, toward being fixed in place, rather than being able to leave and to move freely should they want to. This happens in-country when people have not yet begun to move.

Robot-Assisted Thoracofemoral Bifurcation Bypass

INTRODUCTION: Thoracofemoral bypass surgery for occlusion of aortofemoral segment is a variant of choice for treatment of patients with impossibility of performing traditional aortofemoral bypass. The use of robot-assisted technologies in the formation of a proximal anastomosis permits to reduce the trauma of surgical access and to improve the results of surgical intervention. The article reports a case of a patient with occlusion of the aorto-iliac segment and total calcification of the infrarenal aorta, who underwent robot-assisted thoracofemoral bifurcation bypass surgery.
 CONCLUSION: Use of modern technologies in the vascular surgery permits to reduce traumatization, minimize the effect of the human factor, improve visualization and freedom of movement and shorten the recovery period and the period of hospital stay.

A Reinforcement Learning Approach for Continuum Robot Control

Rigid joint manipulators are limited in their movement and degrees of freedom (DOF), while continuum robots possess a continuous backbone that allows for free movement and multiple DOF. Continuum robots move by bending over a section, taking inspiration from biological manipulators such as tentacles and trunks. This paper presents an implementation of a forward kinematics and velocity kinematics model to describe the planar continuum robot, along with the application of reinforcement learning (RL) as a control algorithm. In this paper, we have adopted the planar constant curvature representation for the forward kinematic modeling. This choice was made due to its straightforward implementation and its potential to fill the literature gap in the field RL-based control for planar continuum robots. The intended control mechanism is achieved through the use of Deep Deterministic Policy Gradient (DDPG), a RL algorithm that is suited for learning controls in continuous action spaces. After simulating the algorithm, it was observed that the planar continuum robot can autonomously move from any initial point to any desired goal point within the task space of the robot. By analyzing the results, we wanted to recommend a future direction for research in the field of continuum robot control, specifically in the application of RL algorithms. One potential area of focus could be the integration of sensory feedback, such as vision or force sensing, to improve the robot’s ability to navigate complex environments. Additionally, exploring the use of different RL algorithms, such as Proximal Policy Optimization (PPO) or Trust Region Policy Optimization (TRPO), could lead to further advancements in the field. Overall, this paper demonstrates the potential for RL-based control of continuum robots and highlights the importance of continued research in this area.

Women's experiences and views of outpatient and inpatient induction of labor with oral misoprostol: A secondary qualitative study.

As labor induction rates continue to increase, so has the interest in performing induction in an outpatient setting for pregnancies defined as low-risk. Twenty women participated in the pilot study of a Randomized Controlled Trial (RCT) comparing inpatient and outpatient labor induction with oral misoprostol. This study aimed to explore women's experiences of outpatient induction of labor and their views on this as an alternative method to inpatient labor induction. Semi-structured interviews were conducted, from November 2021 to January 2022 with eight women randomized to outpatient induction and four women randomized to inpatient induction. Verbatim transcribed interviews were analyzed using Graneheim and Lundman's content analysis. Three main categories emerged: the required framework around outpatient labor induction, what felt better at home and what felt safer at the hospital. To feel secure at home, women needed sufficient information, close follow-up while at home, and an easy-to-administer induction method. Outpatient labor induction gave women the opportunity of constant support from the partner and increased freedom of movement and self-expression. Some expressed relief over being randomized to inpatient labor induction, because of easy access to health providers, fetal monitoring, and not risking giving birth before arrival to the hospital. Women stressed the importance of being given a choice. Outpatient labor induction contributed to a positive birth experience and should be considered as an alternative for women with low-risk pregnancies. Shared decision-making, including the opportunity for women to change their mind, is essential as induction and early labor affects women's whole childbirth experience.

Effect of the COVID-19 Pandemic on the Epidemiology of Pediatric Traumatic Brain Injury in Brazil.

Aim In response to the coronavirus 2019 disease (COVID-19) pandemic, governments worldwide implemented measures to prevent infection, resulting in restricted school activities, restricted children's freedom of movement, and increased risk of violence and injuries at home, including traumatic brain injury (TBI), among children. In Brazil, the consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic on the causes, severity, and mortality of pediatric TBI have not yet been investigated. Thus, our study aimed to determine whether the COVID-19 pandemic has affected the epidemiology of pediatric TBI among Brazilian children. Materials and methods We investigated the patients with TBI aged <18 years who visited a tertiary trauma center in Brazil in 2019 and 2020. TBI-related variables, such as classification, mechanism, clinical manifestations, need for intervention, morbidity, and mortality, were recorded. Furthermore, we used a nationwide databank to collect information on mortality from external causes of trauma and violence in the pediatric population in 2019 and 2020. The Mann-Whitney test was used to compare quantitative variables related to the mechanisms and severity of TBI in both periods in order to determine the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. Results Of the patients with traumatic brain injury, 1371 visited the trauma center in 2019 and 1052 in 2020. No difference was noted in the incidence rate of abusive head trauma between these periods (p=0.142) or in mortality from violence in Brazil. Recreational causes of pediatric TBI increased during the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic in Brazil and falls from bicycles significantly increased during the pandemic (p<0.001). Conclusion A global reduction in pediatric admissions to emergency rooms as well as no impact on mortality and severity of pediatric TBI were observed during the COVID-19 pandemic in Brazil. Additionally, a public education program regarding child safety during recreational activities, particularly how to avoid falls from bicycles was recommended.

Five-Segment Mandibular Osteotomy: A Novel Approach to the Correction of Complex Post-Traumatic Mandibular Deformities.

Post-traumatic mandibular malocclusion is a complex condition that poses a significant challenge to reconstructive surgeons. The malocclusion that ensues from bilateral condylar and parasymphseal fractures presents a particular challenge as it leads to bilateral posterior shortening and lingual tilting of dental arch leading to a combination of open anterior bite, crossbite, overbite, underbite, and/or facial asymmetry. The complexity of such malocclusion requires intricate freedom of movement of the mandibular arch that can be achieved by performing a 5-segment mandibular osteotomy. This is a case series of 9 adult patients with significant post-traumatic mandibular malocclusion who were treated with 5-segment mandibular osteotomy technique. This article details the demographics, surgical technique and outcomes in this cohort of patients. All 9 patients in this series had condylar fracture as part of the index mandibular trauma. They have a common post-traumatic deformity of the mandibular arch due to shortening of the vertical mandibular height in the fracture site and variable degrees of lingual tilting leading to crossbite. The 5-segment mandibular osteotomy provided an adequate correction of dental and facial deformities in all 9 patients. One patient had a relapse of the dental malocclusion that required postoperative rescue orthodontics. Furthermore, one patient had a significant postoperative hemorrhage that required a facial artery ligation. Post-traumatic mandibular malocclusion is a complex deformity that poses a great challenge to practicing surgeons. Five-segment mandibular osteotomy is a technique that provides ample degrees of movement of mandibular segments that is necessary to correct such deformity.