Guarantee Fund Research Articles

Evolution strategies for collaborative governance of marine microplastic pollution from the industry-research integration perspective

IntroductionMarine microplastics, are widely distributed in the global marine environment, posing a challenging issue that requires the joint efforts of global stakeholders.MethodsTo effectively address the issue of marine microplastic pollution (MMP) governance and analyze the dynamic changes in governance willingness of various participants under different scenarios, this paper meticulously constructs a game theory framework encompassing polluting enterprises, research institutions, and environmental organizations. Results(1) On the political level, the implementation of continuous and strong economic penalty mechanisms is an effective means to deter enterprises from evading MMP governance responsibilities. However, the effective execution of this strategy highly depends on the participation and supervision of environmental organizations. Therefore, it is essential to assign more roles and responsibilities to environmental organizations to ensure the thorough execution of governance measures. (2) On the technical level, the effectiveness of research directly determines the functional status of enterprises and research institutions in the MMP governance decision-making system. Weaker entities tend to make decisions following the behavioral preferences of dominant entities. Thus, deepening the integration of industry and research and fully unleashing the effectiveness of research outcomes in MMP governance is a key path to enhancing overall governance efficiency and effectiveness. (3) On the economic level, high governance costs often become a significant factor limiting the enthusiasm of all parties to participate. However, when innovative cooperation models achieve cost sharing and benefit sharing, the governance willingness of participants significantly increases. It is evident that optimizing resource allocation, improving the efficiency of fund utilization, and establishing a diversified and sustainable funding guarantee mechanism are crucial for advancing the in-depth progress of MMP governance. DiscussionIn summary, this study not only provides profound theoretical insights into the interaction relationships and behavioral choices of multiple stakeholders in MMP governance but also offers practical strategic recommendations for constructing an efficient and collaborative governance system.

MAIN DIRECTIONS OF STATE POLICY OF UKRAINE CONCERNING THE SOLUTION OF PROBLEMS IN THE FIELD OF MEDICAL, PHYSICAL AND PSYCHOLOGICAL REHABILITATION OF PARTICIPANTS IN COMBAT ACTIONS

he article summarizes information on the main directions of the state policy of Ukraine in solving problems in the field of medical, physical and psychological rehabilitation of combatants. The study of the main directions of the state policy of Ukraine in solving problems in the field of medical, physical and psychological rehabilitation of combatants has a systemic nature. Therefore, research methods are also multidisciplinary, because the research concerns administrative law, public administration, and the field of health care. The functional-competence approach was specially applied, according to which the competence of the central bodies of the executive power of Ukraine was analyzed in terms of the development and implementation of state policy. The effectiveness of state policy in the field of state financial guarantees of medical care for the population under the medical guarantee program has been analyzed. Provision of sanatorium-resort treatment and medical benefits are considered. Problems have been identified when the transition of military personnel to civilian life will become a serious challenge for the country. The problem will arise in the context of ensuring a unified approach to the provision of benefits. The issue of rehabilitation financing was considered, in particular, it was noted that all the listed services are provided either exclusively at the expense of local budgets, or under a mixed system, when local authorities receive a partial subvention from the state budget. The problem of transfer of benefits administration functions to local self-government bodies and the introduction of an automated system for servicing the needs of veterans was declared.

Exploring the Sustainability-Oriented Strategies of Small- and Medium-Sized Construction Enterprises in China’s Construction Industry under Financing Guarantee Constraints: A Multi-Agent Computational Model Approach

In the context of China’s swift urbanization and heightened sustainability challenges, SMCEs in the construction industry play a critical role in driving both economic growth and sustainable development. This pioneering study introduces an integrative approach blending sustainability-oriented strategies (SSs) with financing guarantees, addressing key obstacles faced by these firms. Leveraging a multi-agent computational model, we dissect the dynamic interplay among construction SMCEs, governmental bodies, financial institutions, and guarantors, underscoring the transformative impact of financing guarantees on sustainable advancement. Our investigation reveals that optimally structured financing guarantees not only resolve funding challenges but also actively foster adherence to sustainability practices. This dual functionality positions such financial instruments as key enablers of SMCEs’ quest for sustainability, aligning economic objectives with ecological imperatives. Furthermore, we spotlight the transformative effect of strategic management on elevating SMCEs’ commitment to sustainable operations. Collectively, these insights offer actionable pathways for SMCEs embarking on sustainability endeavors, showcasing innovative financial solutions that do not detract from their economic prosperity.

China’s Green Finance: new in fiscal and legal regulation

Having embarked on the formation of an “ecological civilization”, the People’s Republic of China pays special attention to environmental legislation, the creation of a modern system of “green” economy and “green” finance. The effectiveness of legal regulation of environmental relations largely depends on the availability of financial guarantees of relevant environmental standards. One of these guarantees is the environmental protection tax, recently introduced in the fiscal system of the People’s Republic of China.The article analyzes the main elements of this tax — taxpayers, the object of taxation, rates, the procedure for calculating and paying, system of tax benefits. Special attention is paid to the specifics of tax administration, the organization of cooperation between tax authorities and environmental protection authorities, the interaction of tax control and environmental monitoring.

Jednostranná nebo konkludentní? Problematické aspekty volby práva (nejen) v zajišťovacích instrumentech ve světle aktuální judikatury

This article deals with cases of <i>unilateral</i> and <i>tacit</i> choice of law, as less common examples of choice of law. These are entirely separate categories. Unilateral choice reflects the fact that it is the result of the will of only one person, and typically appears in unilateral legal acts (such as a financial guarantee in Czech law). Tacit choice, on the other hand, indicates that the intent to choose the law was expressed in a non-explicit way. Choice of law can be at the same time both unilateral and tacit, although this will not occur very often in practice. In the case of unilateral legal acts in the field of contract and tort law, there is a debate whether their conflict of laws regime falls under the EU’s unified conflict of laws rules (Rome I or Rome II Regulation) or under national law. There is no clear decision on the issue by the CJEU. The Czech Supreme Court has recently been given the opportunity to comment on this and some other issues of unilateral and implied choice of law. However, the Court rather missed this opportunity. It avoided the question of whether the national law or the Rome I Regulation applies to unilateral legal acts similar to a declaration of guarantee by (unfortunately incorrectly) applying the Rome Convention. The Court also applied the rules for a bilateral choice of law to an apparently unilateral choice of law in a rather complex manner. Moreover, its conclusion that the choice subjecting the declaration in question to “Danish statutes” is only an implied choice and not an express one is at least questionable. The article critically assesses this decision and shows in what respects a different (and more correct) course of action should be followed.

Study on the Problems and Countermeasures of Specially Invited Mediation’s System in China Under the Diversified Dispute Resolution Mechanisms

The Provisions of the Supreme People’s Court on Specially Invited Mediation in the People’s courts, issued in 2016, formally established the specially invited mediation’s system, but the lack of uniform standards for the rules applicable to the specially invited mediation’s system, the unsoundness of safeguard mechanism, and the inefficiency of its operation have not been effectively resolved. Therefore, the scope of application of the specially invited mediation’s system should be clarified through legislation, the entry threshold of specially invited mediators should be raised, a perfect financial guarantee system for specially invited mediation should be established, and a reward and punishment mechanism should be set up to strengthen the punishment for false mediation, preventing false mediation, and increasing the supervision of the specially invited mediation procedure, so as to promote the orderly conduct of specially invited mediation and efficiently resolve disputes.

Financial risk analysis of Public-Private Partnership (PPP) projects case study on Pandaan - Malang Toll Road

This study aims to analyze the financial risks faced by the Pandaan-Malang Toll Road PPP (Public-Private Partnership) project in Indonesia. Data collection techniques include semi-structured in-depth interviews with parties related to the PPP project, including the Directorate General of Infrastructure Financing, the Tolling Road Management Agency (government), and Business Entities (PT Jasamarga Pandaan Malang). The collected data will be analyzed to determine the financial risk factors faced by PPP projects and the financial controls carried out to overcome financial risks in PPP. The results show that the risk of errors in forecasting in the calculation of demand, cost, and revenue projections is a risk that almost often occurs. The Government emphasizes the importance of optimizing the role of PII (Persero) or Indonesia Infrastructure Guarantee Fund (IIGF) as an Infrastructure Guarantee Business Entity (BUPI) to ensure financial sustainability and minimize the impact of sudden shocks on the State Budget due to the provision of Government Guarantees for cooperation projects. This study provides insights or frameworks that can be applied to similar projects, helping to improve risk assessment and decision-making processes in future infrastructure developments.

Analysis of legal regulation and results of the assessment of public and professional awareness on rehabilitation care packages

Aim. To determine the peculiarities of legal regulation of rehabilitation care packages, as well as present the results of assessing the awareness of the population and professionals on rehabilitation care packages. Materials and methods. The legislation of Ukraine, scientific publications, results of a sociological survey; content analysis, system analysis, sociological analysis, generalization, synthesis, graphic methods were used. Results. It has been determined that the active development of legislation of Ukraine on the provision of rehabilitation care begins with the adoption of the Law “On Rehabilitation in the Field of Healthcare” in 2020. Today, these relations are already regulated by a number of legal acts. The Law “On State Financial Guarantees of Medical Care for the Population” adopted in 2017 defined the provision of medical services necessary for patients at the expense of the state budget. Since 2023, two packages of rehabilitation services have been provided in Ukraine; they are subject to payment under the medical guarantee program – rehabilitation care for adults and children in inpatient and outpatient settings. The study has shown that 55 % of the Ukrainians surveyed feel the need for rehabilitation, but they consider the lack of financial resources to be a barrier to obtaining it, and they also note that they do not know where and whom to turn to. Rehabilitation professionals have demonstrated an average level of awareness of their rights and opportunities within these programs. Conclusions. The article highlights the active development of legislation of Ukraine on rehabilitation in the healthcare sector at the present stage. According to the results of the survey, it has been found that the population of Ukraine has an insufficient level of awareness of medical guarantee packages for rehabilitation care. The necessity for a more active information campaign and the creation of social advertising on this topic has been substantiated.

MUNICIPAL GOVERNANCE IN GERMANY: PRACTICE RECOMMENDATIONS FOR UKRAINE

Establishing a municipal governance system is a long process focused on selecting the best practices that have proven to be effective and efficient. One of the methods is the transit of elements of municipal systems borrowed from other countries. The experience of ensuring democratic participation of the community formed in Germany is of interest. The purpose of the article is to identify the components of the German model of municipal governance that can be used by Ukraine to improve the efficiency of the national system of local self-government and bring it closer to EU standards. The elements of the comparative analysis in the article are the analysis of the institutional model of municipal governance and its state and political basis; determination of the specifics of the distribution of powers between the state and local governments and the nature of community participation in local self-government; characterization of the system of financial guarantees and the budget system; determination of the principles of cooperation and coordination of municipalities. The article uses the methodology of comparative analysis based on the identification and analysis of the legal, structural, organizational, political and economic components of municipal governance in Ukraine and Germany.

Protection of Electronic Money Saving Customers At the Bank

Currently developing again with the emergence of a new payment instrument in the form of a certain amount of money stored in an electronic media owned by someone, this payment instrument is known as Electronic Money. As a means of payment, the acquisition and use of Electronic Money (e-money) can be considered quite easy. Prospective holders or users only need to deposit a certain amount of money to the issuer or through issuing agents and the total value of the money will be digitally stored in electronic media. The problems raised in this paper are regarding the characteristics and status of electronic money as a non-cash payment instrument in banking products and the urgency of legal protection against stored customer electronic money. This type of thesis research uses normative juridical research. The results of this study are that electronic money is essentially cash that is converted into electronic data that is stored on storage media on cards in the form of chips or servers belonging to electronic money holders. The value of the electronic money is also recorded on electronic media managed by the issuer of electronic money. Payment transactions with electronic money are carried out by transferring funds electronically at merchant payment terminals (merchant), by directly reducing the value of electronic money on electronic media managed by electronic money holders. The status of the value of money received by the electronic money issuer, both for the results of the electronic money issuance and refilling, is a float fund, which is the obligation of the electronic money issuer to electronic money holders and traders at the time of billing reconciliation by the merchant to the electronic money issuer and the urgency of guaranteeing funds Customers using electronic money by customer fund guarantee institutions (LPS) have not yet reached the point where they really need them. Because currently existing regulations regarding electronic money, both those regulated by Bank Indonesia Regulations and Financial Services Authority Regulations are still able to protect the rights of customers who use electronic money, but it is possible that in the future IDIC will guarantee the funds of electronic money customers. Considering the very rapid development of electronic money users and the very large circulation of money, then of course LPS can be present as a guarantee institution, of course with updated regulations. And at this time LPS is also reviewing with OJK about the need for LPS to be present as a guarantor of electronic money customer funds.

A Study of the Impact of Free Compulsory Education on the Urban Mobility of Migrant Workers

This study examines the impact of China's free compulsory education policy on the urban mobility of migrant workers. With the acceleration of urbanization, migrant workers have become an important force in China's urbanization and industrialization, but face barriers to urban integration. The report emphasized the promotion of migrant workers' citizenship, in which improving their education level is key. Since 2006, China has fully implemented free compulsory education and included rural compulsory education in the scope of public finance guarantee, which has had a positive impact on the education of migrant workers and their children, and a heterogeneity analysis reveals the existence of marital and educational heterogeneity. This policy is expected to enhance the willingness of rural migrant workers to reside in cities, promote urban-rural integration and development, and provide strong support for rural migrant worker citizenship.

Advancing drug development for atrial fibrillation by prioritising findings from human genetic association studies

Drug development for atrial fibrillation (AF) has failed to yield new approved compounds. We sought to identify and prioritise potential druggable targets with support from human genetics, by integrating the available evidence with bioinformatics sources relevant for AF drug development. Genetic hits for AF and related traits were identified through structured search of MEDLINE. Genes derived from each paper were cross-referenced with the OpenTargets platform for drug interactions. Confirmation/validation was demonstrated through structured searches and review of evidence on MEDLINE and ClinialTrials.gov for each drug and its association with AF. 613 unique drugs were identified, with 21 already included in AF Guidelines. Cardiovascular drugs from classes not currently used for AF (e.g. ranolazine and carperitide) and anti-inflammatory drugs (e.g. dexamethasone and mehylprednisolone) had evidence of potential benefit. Further targets were considered druggable but remain open for drug development. Our systematic approach, combining evidence from different bioinformatics platforms, identified drug repurposing opportunities and druggable targets for AF. KK is supported by Barts Charity grant G-002089 and is mentored on the AFGen 2023-24 Fellowship funded by the AFGen NIH/NHLBI grant R01HL092577. RP is supported by the UCL BHF Research Accelerator AA/18/6/34223 and NIHR grant NIHR129463. AFS is supported by the BHF grants PG/18/5033837, PG/22/10989 and UCL BHF Accelerator AA/18/6/34223 as well as the UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) under the UK government's Horizon Europe funding guarantee EP/Z000211/1 and by the UKRI-NIHR grant MR/V033867/1 for the Multimorbidity Mechanism and Therapeutics Research Collaboration. AF is supported by UCL BHF Accelerator AA/18/6/34223. CF is supported by UCL BHF Accelerator AA/18/6/34223.

Analysis of Distortions in the Implementation of the "Double Reduction" Policy

Since the promulgation of the "double reduction" policy, a number of policy distortions have arisen, which have greatly constrained the actual implementation of the policy. Therefore, active countermeasures should be taken to address these problems: reforming the promotion and evaluation systems, maintaining the main focus of school education, improving the financial guarantee mechanism for after-school services, and strengthening the governance of extracurricular training institutions, so as to enhance the effectiveness of the policy's implementation.

In Silico Screening of Some Active Phytochemicals to Identify Promising Inhibitors Against SARS-CoV-2 Targets.

There are very few small-molecule drug candidates developed against SARS-CoV-2 that have been revealed since the epidemic began in November 2019. The typical medicinal chemistry discovery approach requires more than a decade of the year of painstaking research and development and a significant financial guarantee, which is not feasible in the challenge of the current epidemic. This current study proposes to find and identify the most effective and promising phytomolecules against SARS-CoV-2 in six essential proteins (3CL protease, Main protease, Papain- Like protease, N-protein RNA binding domain, RNA-dependent RNA polymerase, and Spike receptor binding domain target through in silico screening of 63 phytomolecules from six different Ayurveda medicinal plants. The phytomolecules and SARS-CoV-2 proteins were taken from public domain databases such as PubChem and RCSB Protein Data Bank. For in silico screening, the molecular interactions, binding energy, and ADMET properties were investigated. The structure-based molecular docking reveals some molecules' greater affinity towards the target than the co-crystal ligand. Our results show that tannic acid, cyanidin-3-rutinoside, zeaxanthin, and carbolactone are phytomolecules capable of inhibiting SARS-CoV-2 target proteins in the least energy conformations. Tannic acid had the least binding energy of -8.8 kcal/mol, which is better than the binding energy of its corresponding co-crystal ligand (-7.5 kcal/mol) against 3 CL protease. Also, it has shown the least binding energy of -9.9 kcal/mol with a more significant number of conventional hydrogen bond interactions against the RdRp target. Cyanidin-3-rutinoside showed binding energy values of -8.8 and -7.6 kcal/mol against Main protease and Papain-like protease, respectively. Zeaxanthin was the top candidate in the N protein RBD with a binding score of - 8.4 kcal/mol, which is slightly better when compared to a co-crystal ligand (-8.2 kcal/mol). In the spike, carbolactone was the suitable candidate with the binding energy of -7.2 kcal/mol and formed a conventional hydrogen bond and two hydrophobic interactions. The best binding affinity-scored phytomolecules were selected for the MD simulations studies. The present in silico screening study suggested that active phytomolecules from medicinal plants could inhibit SARS-CoV-2 targets. The elite docked compounds with drug-like properties have a harmless ADMET profile, which may help to develop promising COVID-19 inhibitors.

Assessing Arm’s Length Guarantee Fee: Insights from the Crédit Industriel et Commercial Case

In a context where more and more tax disputes relate to intercompany financial guarantees, this article analyses the Crédit Industriel et Commercial case and its practical implications. This decision highlights certain divergences that can arise between taxpayers and tax authorities when defining an arm’s length guarantee fee. In this case, such differences revolved around both the delineation of the guarantee and the appropriate pricing methodology.

Promotion and Tenure Policies and Practices at U.S. Medical Schools: Is Tenure Irrelevant or More Relevant Than Ever?

Promotion and tenure (P&T) have been common mechanisms to support and nurture faculty at higher education institutions and, therefore, have been of continual interest to medical school faculty and administrators. In the last decade, significant changes in the academic medicine sector have occurred, including new medical schools, mergers and acquisitions of academic hospitals and health systems, and institutional and societal efforts to address systemic racism and inequality. In addition, societal controversies have revived long-dormant concerns about academic freedom for medical school faculty, a bedrock principle of U.S. higher education for more than a century. These developments raise the question of whether tenure at medical schools is increasingly irrelevant for large numbers of full-time faculty or more relevant than ever.Using a 2022 survey of 118 medical schools, a review of P&T policies at 37 other medical schools, and an analysis of Association of American Medical Colleges Faculty Roster data, the authors review the prevalence of tenure systems at U.S. MD-granting medical schools; trends in the use of such systems for full-time basic science and clinical faculty; models of including diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) criteria in P&T standards; and alterations to introduce greater flexibility into the P&T process.The authors' analysis shows that, although tenure systems remain well established at U.S. MD-granting medical schools, the percentage of full-time faculty on tenured or tenure-eligible tracks declined over the last 4 decades. Troubling gaps in tenure-eligible appointments persist between men and women faculty and among faculty by race and ethnicity. Medical schools have begun to deploy a variety of tactics in P&T processes focused on DEI to address these systemic inequities. To adapt the traditional tenure system to meet the needs of academic medicine, medical schools have altered their policies, including tenure financial guarantees, probationary period extensions, and post-tenure review.

Evaluation of emergency drills effectiveness by center of disease prevention and control staff in Heilongjiang Province, China: an empirical study using the logistic-ISM model.

Emergency drills are critical practices that can improve the preparedness for crisis situations. This study aims to comprehend the evaluation of emergency drill effectiveness by the staff at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in Heilongjiang Province, China. It identifies potential factors that could influence the personnel's appraisal of outcomes throughout the emergency drill procedure. A cross-sectional survey was conducted among public health professionals from various CDCs in Heilongjiang, a northeastern Chinese province. The binary logistic regression analysis identified the factors associated with the CDC staff's assessment of emergency drill efficacy, while the Interpretative Structural Modeling (ISM) elucidated the hierarchical structure among the influencing factors. 53.3% (95% CI = 50.6-55.4) of participants perceived the emergency drills' effectiveness as low. Binary logistic regression analysis revealed that the following adverse factors associated with the emergency drills increased the risk of a lower evaluation: lack of equipment and poor facilities (OR = 2.324, 95% CI = 1.884-2.867), poor training quality (OR = 1.765, 95% CI = 1.445-2.115), low leadership focus (OR = 1.585, 95% CI = 1.275-1.971), insufficient training frequency (OR = 1.539, 95% CI = 1.258-1.882), low skill in designing emergency drill plans (OR = 1.494, 95% CI = 1.180-1.890), lack of funding (OR = 1.407, 95% CI = 1.111-1.781), and poor coordination between departments (OR = 1.335, 95% CI = 1.085-1.641). The ISM revealed the hierarchical relationship of the influential factors, which were classified into three levels: Surface, Middle and Bottom. The Surface Level factors were training frequency, training quality, leaders' focus, and inter-departmental coordination. The Middle Level factors were equipment availability and skill in designing emergency drill plans. The Bottom Level factor was funding guarantee. This survey revealed that over half of the CDC staff rated the effectiveness of public health emergency drills as low. The Logistic-ISM Model results indicated that the evaluation of drill effectiveness was negatively influenced by insufficient facility and equipment support, financial constraints, lack of departmental coordination, and inadequate leadership attention. Among these factors, funding guarantee was the most fundamental one. Therefore, this calls for strategic decisions to increase funding for equipment, leadership training support, and effective emergency coordination.

How does intellectual property system affect technology entrepreneurship: evidence from Chinese prefecture‐level cities

Technology entrepreneurship plays a pivotal role in bolstering regional economic vitality, with the intellectual property rights (IPR) system serving as a fundamental safeguard for entrepreneurs' intellectual achievements. Using panel data encompassing 260 prefecture‐level cities in China from 2006 to 2019, we employ the count of registered technology‐based enterprises to construct an indicator of technology entrepreneurship and consider China's IPR policy as a quasi‐natural experiment to examine the impact of the IPR system on technology entrepreneurship. The findings reveal that the pilot policy can significantly stimulate technology entrepreneurship displaying a periodically dynamic promotional effect. This conclusion remains reliable even after undergoing rigorous robustness tests. The mechanism analysis demonstrates that the pilot policy can stimulate technology entrepreneurship by enriching the technological knowledge base and providing financial guarantees. Notably, while the policy's impact on technology entrepreneurship increases with the expansion of the city scale across different scenarios, no discernible regional disparities emerge. This study provides a new perspective on the relationship between the IPR system and entrepreneurship, offering valuable insights into improving the IPR framework in emerging developing countries.

Keabsahan Akta Dibawah Tangan pada Kredit Mobil dalam Perjanjian Fidusia

In the development of technology and information, developments in means of transportation cannot be separated, which as time changes, always offers the newest forms of technology, even in terms of vehicle design. In its current development, cars are a means of transportation that can be said to be owned by all groups. The need to have this means of transportation makes it possible for consumers who need a car as a means of transportation but it is not always available and accessible to the general public. Non-bank financial institutions exist as an effort to facilitate the community in meeting their needs. Credit is an alternative for the community as an alternative effort to meet existing needs. Fiduciary guarantees are regulated in Law Number 42 of 1999 in order to maintain security in the credit process and to become a credit object registered with the Fiduciary. In legal research, it is explained that the rights and obligations on the part of the consumer are to pay the consumer with the nominal value of the party making the sale and then take back the car as an object of consumer financing guarantee if in the future there is a default. If a default occurs, the buyer is obliged to provide compensation, namely canceling the agreement under compelling circumstances

Terms of Insurance for Nuclear Damage

This study addressed the regulations of nuclear damage insurance, by elucidating the concept of nuclear damage insurance, its characteristics, and its effects. Furthermore, the study delineated the insurer's obligation to provide financial guarantees for compensation for nuclear damages, through an exposition of the scope of nuclear damage insurance and its problems and addressing the conglomerations of nuclear operators. It was recommended that contemporary insurance companies and systems should abandon traditional methods in the field of nuclear damage insurance. This entails devising insurance approaches and treatments that align with the magnitude and nature of nuclear damage. Additionally, it is imperative for states to support and protect the insurance sectors from the risk of insolvency or bankruptcy, which leads to shirking their responsibilities and obligations towards nuclear operators or the afflicted parties.