Regulatory Provisions Research Articles

Risk assessment and regulation between the supply and demand of ecological products: A comprehensive framework and case study

Humans are facing increasing supply–demand risks of ecological products (EPs) due to the uncertainty of the interaction between ecosystems and social systems. To address this issue, a comprehensive framework for risk assessment and regulation is urgently need to identify areas and levels of risk that threaten human well-being. In this study, we constructed a framework for retrospective assessment and optimal regulation of supply–demand risks of EPs, which covers four indicators: the supply–demand index (SDI), the changing trend of SDI, the changing trend of supply, and trade-offs and synergies. Taking Qinghai Province in the northeast of the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau in China as an example, we conducted a case study on five types of EPs: food production, water conservation, carbon sequestration, soil retention, and outdoor recreation. Our results showed that various types of EPs were basically in the state of supply exceeds demand, with significant spatial differences in supply–demand risk levels. Areas with high risk levels were mainly distributed in urban concentrated development areas in the eastern part of the research area, and the spatial matching of supply and demand in these areas often present high supply and high demand. In addition, for the supply–demand risk of different levels of EPs, we proposed intra-regional and cross-regional optimization regulation strategies, combining the spatial matching status of supply and demand of EPs. It can help decision-makers improve the efficiency of the allocation of EPs supply and demand and the scientific nature of policy formulation at a regional scale.

Why are BHCs organized as parent-subsidiaries? How do they grow in value?

We rationalize the organization of US banking groups into a holding company with subsidiaries – instead of branches or stand-alone units – subject to regulatory provisions of the ”source-of strength” type. We show that their value increases with debt diversity among affiliates and with complexity, as measured by the number of subsidiaries.Regulatory interventions that are aimed at ring fencing reduce (increase) the shareholder value, whenever the Governmental leniency to bailout is low (high).Branches become more valuable when there is no full commitment to internal rescue and Government bailout occurs with certainty.

Environmental information and information about the state of food security: the relationship of the concepts

The article is devoted to the study of such an urgent issue for the modern stage of our state’s existence as the legal provision of informing the population about the state of food security. As a result, a theoretical and legal analysis of the concept of «environmental information» was carried out in the context of providing the population with information about the state of food security in the country. The expediency of expanding the content of the term «environmental information» with information about the state of health and safety of people has been determined. This information should not only relate to food safety information, but also include information on the country’s food security status. The corresponding amendments to the environmental legislation regarding the definition of the concept of «environmental information» as meeting the international standards of environmental information were positively evaluated. The need to include information on the quality and safety of food products in the food safety criteria is substantiated. Attention is focused on negative trends in the legal regulation of ensuring the quality and safety of food products in the conditions of war. A conclusion was made about the violation of a number of principles of state policy in the sphere of ensuring sanitary and epidemic welfare of the population due to: simplification of state registration of plant protection products; simplification of state registration of plant varieties that were created using genetically modified sources; enabling the introduction into circulation of feed additives that consist of, contain or are made from genetically modified organisms. It has been proven that the implementation of such regulatory provisions can pose threats to both human health and the natural environment.

Structural characteristics of tropical headwater streams draining native vegetation and sugarcane cultivation

There is a great relationship between riparian native vegetation and freshwater ecosystems, influencing the functioning and structure of streams and ensuring the maintenance of ecological integrity and functions, such as bank stability, structural stability, organic matter supply, sediment reduction, and thermal regulation, among others. However, several small streams are inserted in large-scale agricultural areas, suffering pressure due to the expansion of agriculture. One of the monocultures that causes stream degradation in São Paulo, Brazil, is sugarcane, causing changes in riparian vegetation characteristics, bank stability, channel geomorphology and hydraulics, and substrate cover, among others. The objective of this study was to evaluate which structural features are most affected in streams draining sugarcane crops and compare them with streams draining native vegetation, also verifying the seasonal influence on each land use. For this, we applied two protocols that characterize aquatic ecosystems, observing the distinction between land use and seasonality in the studied streams. Our results showed that the relevant and most affected parameters were vegetation cover, presence of riparian forest, bank stability, extent and frequency of rapids, velocity/depth regime, epifauna/substrate cover, alteration in the river/stream channel, and streamflow. PERMANOVA analysis comparing structural importance parameters, among different land uses showed significant difference (p < 0.01; F = 73.74) among land uses and showed no significant difference between seasonal periods for streams draining native vegetation (p > 0.05; F = 0.68) and draining sugarcane cultivation (p > 1; F = 0.82). Thus, our study demonstrated the importance of native vegetation in promoting better structural characteristics of headwater streams.

A history of thalidomide in India.

In contrast to the well-known stories of the embryotoxic drug, thalidomide, in countries where it was responsible for large numbers of birth defects, there is limited information on its history in India. Its presence before 2002, when the country issued the first marketing licence for a thalidomide-containing preparation, is assumed to be negligible. This article challenges this view by showing that the drug entered the Indian subcontinent through the former Portuguese territory of Goa around 1960. We examine the subsequent development of its distribution, use and regulation in India from the mid-1960s up to the present situation. Colonial legacies are a crucial explanation for the early appearance of thalidomide on the Indian subcontinent. They also influenced its re-emergence as drug for treating leprosy reactions in India after 1965. We identify key actors in this process: the original German producer that delivered thalidomide free of charge, European doctors who worked for international non-governmental organizations, the World Health Organization (WHO), which supported clinical trials and later discouraged the use of the drug, and finally the Indian state institutions that limited its distribution and later quickly opened the way for the private sector to produce and market thalidomide and its analogues. Finally, we discuss the risk of thalidomide-induced birth defects by casting a critical look on the present state of regulatory provisions and the monitoring of birth defects in India.

The Power Link Caribbean Project

The PWRLINKCAR (Power Link Caribbean) is a research project that has the aim of promoting the renewable energies in the Caribbean area. The use of a submarine cable is proposed for the union of the electric markets of Greater and Lesser Antilles. The goal of the project is to extend the renewable energies to the markets of the Caribbean Area by studying, designing, and modelling the interconnectivity of the markets. It is proposed the use of direct current in order to transmit the electricity energy power using HVDC (High Voltage Direct Current) and HVAC (High Voltage Alternating Current) through submarine cables. Regulatory provisions of the different markets are considered. Energy stocks and electricity price reduction are benefits expected by implementing the power link proposed in this work. Moreover, the power link can include optical cable for promoting telecommunications possibilities in the Caribbean area.

Theoretical and practical problems of conducting criminal and administrative proceedings in Ukraine under martial law

The purpose of the study was to determine the theoretical and practical problems of conducting criminal and administrative proceedings in Ukraine during martial law. Its achievement became possible thanks to the solution of the main tasks: analysis of judicial and investigative practice, regulatory provisions. To achieve the goal, a system of general scientific and special methods was used, which made it possible to take into account the peculiarities of the object and subject of research, in particular: methods of formal logic, special legal methods, and comparative legal methods; historical-legal, systemic-structural, sociological methods. Significant changes in the legal system of Ukraine during martial law are emphasized. Areas of improvement of the current legislation have been determined, with the aim of solving theoretical and practical problems of conducting criminal and administrative proceedings in Ukraine during the martial law. These are: 1) expanding the list of administrative offenses that can be prosecuted in a simplified manner; 2) introduction of administrative responsibility for the commission of certain acts during the period of martial law; 3) establishing the court's duty to verify the existence of an objective impossibility for the prosecutor to appeal to the court with an indictment, etc.

Unincorporated Merchant: How Does the Law Protect Consumers in Electronic Commerce?

Currently, electronic commerce (e-commerce) is a platform that allows merchants and consumers to easily conduct online transactions. Nonetheless, there are a lot of e-commerce business actors who do not yet have legal entity status. The purpose of this research is to discover and examine rules pertaining to e-commerce merchants who are not incorporated, as well as what portions of consumer legal protection are available to consumers. This doctrinal legal research uses statutory and conceptual approaches. The results of the study show that regulatory provisions for e-commerce business actors who are required to be legal entities (incorporated) have been contained in regulations issued by the Minister of Trade, while e-commerce business actors who are not legal entities are regulated in various regulations such as the Law on Electronic Information and Transactions, the Consumer Protection Act, and the Trade Quiet Act. However, the regulation does not explicitly contain e-commerce obligations for legal entities. In fact, the legality of business actors is highly recommended because it guarantees legal protection for consumers if they experience losses in the future. In addition, it is also a potential source of income for countries with tax schemes. Based on this, it is suggested that the government immediately draw up specific regulations so that every e-commerce business actor is not given any other choice but to have a legal entity. It is also necessary to stipulate strict sanctions against unincorporated business actors and result in losses to consumers.

Assessing the Role Ghana's Public Health Act, 2012 (Act 851) Can Play in Oversight of Artificial Intelligence Healthcare Systems to Prevent Medical Errors and Improve Patient Safety

Purpose: Evaluate the possibilities and limitations of implementing the Essential Ghana Public Health Act to manage the growing development of artificial intelligence (AI)-enabled health care in light of the contemporary gap in research so. Methodology: A review of the 2012 public health regulatory provisions and anti-technology surveillance mechanisms document detailing the needs and risks of AI regulation. Results: Current regulations have a customizable foundation for documenting policies, reporting algorithmic errors, creating updated workplace safety audits, and enforcing non-compliance but required by fully implemented investigations that strong material differences are addressed and that AI-specific rules are codified into new legal rules. Conclusions: Ghana currently has the mechanisms in place for an interim administration to flexibly implement long-term healthcare legislation on gaps awaiting reconciliation through investment in specific sectors, staffing and reforms. Recommendations: Immediate training to prepare inspection personnel before the onset of the crisis is guidelines and rules for algorithmic accounting. What really matters is the effective implementation of existing legislation and the informing of strategies for modernization and certainly also the innovation of policy frameworks for the innovation of new health care systems. Scientific contribution: addresses the knowledge gap in maintaining vulnerabilities for emerging technologies that are tracked by regulations in disruption.

Proceedings in cases of administrative offenses regarding violation of quarantine requirements

Speaking about bodies authorized to bring administrative responsibility for violating quarantine requirements, it is necessary to pay attention to the following: firstly, the system of bodies (officials) authorized to bring administrative responsibility for violating quarantine requirements includes judicial and second extrajudicial (administrative) bodies , the list of which is quite extensive; secondly, in the aspect of bringing to administrative responsibility for violation of quarantine requirements, it is necessary to distinguish between bodies that bring to administrative responsibility and those authorized to draw up protocols on bringing to administrative responsibility. The court occupies a special place in the system of bodies considering the issue of administrative liability for violation of quarantine requirements. This exceptional role is explained by the fact that: firstly, violation of the rules regarding the quarantine of people has increased social harm, which is related to the health of the entire population of Ukraine and, as a result, can contribute to the faster spread of the coronavirus infection; secondly, as we have already defined in clause 1.3. the qualification of this act requires knowledge of a large number of normative legal acts in connection with the blanket nature of the disposition, and therefore the court as a competent body must determine the presence of the composition of an administrative offense; thirdly, the amount of fines provided for by the sanction of Art. 44-3 of the Code of Administrative Offenses of Ukraine are essential and can significantly limit the rights of a person. However, determining the role of the courts, in the consideration of cases of administrative offenses regarding the violation of quarantine requirements, it is stated that it is necessary to approach the list of acts considered by the courts more carefully. In our opinion, the presence of persons in public places without documents certifying identity, confirming citizenship or its special status, without a certificate of registration of a homeless person should be brought under the jurisdiction of the National Police and this offense should be transferred to Part 2 of Article 44-3 of the Code of Administrative Offenses. In turn, the transfer of this administrative offense to Part 2 of Art. 44-3 of the Criminal Procedure Code will allow: firstly, to ensure the saving of procedural means; secondly, prompt response, thirdly, it will have a deterrent effect and promote law-abiding behavior. Regulatory and legal provision of the administrative and jurisdictional activity of the National Police of Ukraine regarding bringing to administrative responsibility for violation of quarantine requirements needs revision and improvement. In particular, in our opinion, it is necessary to improve the norms of the Law of Ukraine «On the National Police» dated 02.07.2015 No. 580-VIII, adding to the duties stipulated in Art. 23 paragraph 24-1 «contributes to the provision of quarantine measures in accordance with the law.» This will allow us to determine the competence of the National Police, because during the quarantine period, the police were entrusted with the duty of monitoring compliance with the relevant measures. With regard to other bodies (officials) authorized to consider cases of administrative offenses, the following was noted: 1) it was emphasized the impracticality of assigning health protection authorities to subjects authorized to consider violations of quarantine requirements due to their lack of appropriate competence; 2) the need to make changes to the Code of Administrative Offenses in connection with the liquidation of the state sanitary-epidemiological service was noted; 3) the inexpediency of referring to bodies (officials) authorized to consider the issue of violation of quarantine requirements of local self-government bodies has been confirmed. The administrative procedure for administrative offense cases generally follows the same stages as court proceedings, but is simplified and considered at the place of commission of the administrative offense

Soft budget constraints in Polish public healthcare entities

Although the theory of soft budget constraints is widely presented in the literature, little is known about the factors of soft budget constraints in public hospitals in Poland. This study is relevant because many Polish hospitals struggle with serious debt problems. The study aims to systematise the regulatory and legal provision of soft budget restrictions in the activities of healthcare institutions, particularly public hospitals in Poland, and to assess the impact of these restrictions on their further functioning. An analysis of hospitals’ regulatory and legal activities shows the implementation of various soft budget restrictions. On November 20, 2019, Poland returned to the soft budget constraints, which functioned immediately after the introduction of reforms in the late 90s of the last century. As of 2021, out-of-pocket costs for treatment have decreased to 19.56%, but costs are gradually increasing and in 2020, according to the World Bank, they amounted to 71.89%. The provision of medical services mainly by public hospitals owned by local governments and scattered healthcare debt make it difficult to liquidate an inefficient public hospital in the event of its default. The study proves that the main reason for not eliminating the soft budgetary constraints of hospitals through their commercialization was the inconsistency of the carried out reform of commercialization of hospitals with the financial condition of local authorities. AcknowledgmentThe authors thank the Institute of Economic and Financial Expertise in Łódź for financial support in publishing this paper.

THEORETICAL BASICS OF STUDYING STRUCTURAL CHANGES IN THE RESOURCE PROVISION OF THE BUSINESS SECTOR

Topicality. Ukraine is in difficult circumstances related to the military aggression of a neighboring country. These circumstances affected the socio-economic conditions: the fall in the level of GDP, the reduction of production processes, internal and external migration of the population, a decrease in the pace of technological development, a decrease in the number of business entities, a decrease in the capacities of enterprises, an increase in unemployment, a decrease in the welfare and quality of life of the population. Undoubtedly, this led to structural changes in the economy of Ukraine and its regions.Aim and tasks. The purpose of this scientific article is to develop the theoretical foundations of the study of structural changes in resource provision of the entrepreneurial sector. This goal made it possible to formulate the following tasks: define the concept of "resource provision of the entrepreneurial sector"; to improve the classification of structural changes: by levels of management (from the point of view of the types of structural changes and the potential capabilities of the system as a result of overcoming them); to systematize theories of economic growth and smoothing of structural changes in the economy; generalize the principles of overcoming structural changes in resource provision and the ways of their implementation in the economy of Ukraine.Materials and Methods. This study was carried out on the basis of the use of the comparative method, elementary theoretical analysis and synthesis, methods of empirical research, the method of scientific knowledge, classification and analogy, the method of scientific knowledge. Data of the Statistical Service of Ukraine, materials of scientific publications and researches, own scientific developments were also used.Research results. The impact of structural changes on such areas as: socio-societal; spatial and territorial; technological and production; organizational and managerial; foreign economic/international. The changes themselves are considered at the following levels: global, state, regional, branch, local, entrepreneurial (firm), as well as in various spheres of activity (economy, society, resource provision, etc.). The work classifies structural changes by management levels: global (world) changes; national (macroeconomic) changes; regional (territorial) changes; sectorial (industry) changes and entrepreneurial (micro) changes. In addition, structural changes are classified by functional component: technical and technological; institutional; reproductive; territorial and spatial. The main challenges of the Ukrainian economy in peacetime and wartime have been identified. The main methods ("cost-output", structural analysis, portfolio analysis, econometric analysis, cluster analysis, analysis of the dynamics of transactional and transformational costs) and structural change approaches (evolutionary, institutional, synergistic, cybernetic, structural, neoclassical, innovative-technological) are considered. Let's consider the main theories of the growth of the economy of the country and its regions according to the feature of the unification of territories (cumulative growth, the natural occurrence of negative structural changes, the relationship between the occurrence of negative structural changes and economic growth, the regulation of negative structural changes, technological growth, the impact of innovative development on negative structural changes).Conclusions. The effectiveness and efficiency of business activity consists in the identification of negative structural changes, the development of a methodological apparatus for their elimination, the regulatory and legal provision of these processes, the development of regulatory mechanisms, the identification of responsible persons and a clear communication process between them. Thus, the key to overcoming negative structural changes in the economy can be: strengthening of state management and regulation; balancing market self-regulation at the national, regional and local levels; state initiative and participation in regional transformation processes; development of theoretical and methodological approaches and principles to overcome negative shifts in the development of the country and its regions.This scientific article was carried out within the framework of the NDR "Mechanisms of structural transformation of the entrepreneurial sector of Ukraine on the basis of resilient economic development" (code: 3.1.8.84/B).

Regulatory and legal provision of forensic engineering and technical examinations

Purpose. Development of theoretical provisions and practical recommendations on the generalization of legal support for forensic engineering and technical examinations. The methodology provides for a theoretical generalization of the existing normative legal acts related to the conduct of forensic examinations, in general, and engineering and technical examinations, in particular, as well as the formulation of relevant conclusions and recommendations. Methods. The research used a system of general scientific methods, namely theoretical generalization, comparison, system analysis and formalization. Results. The article is devoted to the current problems of the inconsistency of the regulatory and legal provision of forensic examination with the branch legislation regulating narrowly focused issues of certain types of research. It was determined that in order to regulate the activities of experts, it is necessary to implement unified approaches to conducting research that will take into account the peculiarities of conducting each separate type of forensic examination. It is noted that in order to improve regulatory legal acts on forensic expertise, it is advisable to adapt them to European legislation, and the creation of methods of expert research for all forensic institutions should take into account the accreditation features of international quality standards. Originality. In the process of research, it was found that the generalization of the regulatory and legal provision of engineering and technical expertise (on the example of railway transport expertise) is a necessary condition for stable (unchanging) legal regulation of the process of conducting expertise, which, in turn, will increase the efficiency of the work of judicial entities expert activity in the country. Practical significance. The results of the research can be used in the scientific research field, rule-making activities, expert practice and the educational process.

Current understanding of the contribution of lactate to the cardiovascular system and its therapeutic relevance.

Research during the past decades has yielded numerous insights into the presence and function of lactate in the body. Lactate is primarily produced via glycolysis and plays special roles in the regulation of tissues and organs, particularly in the cardiovascular system. In addition to being a net consumer of lactate, the heart is also the organ in the body with the greatest lactate consumption. Furthermore, lactate maintains cardiovascular homeostasis through energy supply and signal regulation under physiological conditions. Lactate also affects the occurrence, development, and prognosis of various cardiovascular diseases. We will highlight how lactate regulates the cardiovascular system under physiological and pathological conditions based on evidence from recent studies. We aim to provide a better understanding of the relationship between lactate and cardiovascular health and provide new ideas for preventing and treating cardiovascular diseases. Additionally, we will summarize current developments in treatments targeting lactate metabolism, transport, and signaling, including their role in cardiovascular diseases.

Application research on energy storage in power grid supply and demand regulation based on differentiated electricity prices

To solve the problem of safe and stable grid operation caused by the uncontrollability of renewable energy power generation with a high proportion, this paper focuses on the method of energy storage participation in grid supply and demand balance regulation based on differentiated electricity prices. From the perspective of demand-side and regulable resources, the paper investigates the method of using differentiated electricity prices to improve demand-side responsiveness and expand energy storage operation revenue, so as to explore and activate the potential of regulable resources in the grid. Firstly, the necessity and feasibility of considering differentiated electricity prices are analyzed. Secondly, a demand-side response and energy storage regulation model based on differentiated electricity prices is established, and the supply–demand balance regulation method considering differentiated electricity prices is proposed. Then, the supply–demand balance regulation process under two conditions before and after the implementation of differentiated electricity prices is compared and analyzed through case simulation. Finally, via the practical example, the effectiveness of the method is verified, and the proposed method is able to reduce the demand for energy storage by half in rated power and reduce the rated capacity of the energy storage to 8.66%.

TRANSFORMATION OF IJARAH CONTRACT: The Review of The Concept and Its Implementation in Islamic Banking

Innovations in sharia banking products and services in Indonesia continue to experience significant developments. This is important to do to answer the needs of recent financial transactions. Various financing products with various contracts have been applied by Islamic financial institutions. One of the products developed is ijarah-based financing. However, different viewpoints regarding the legal validity of ijarah with its various types are still being discussed among academics and practitioners. The concept of ijarah itself was practiced in early Islamic era and continues to be practiced today in various contemporary financial transactions. This study aims to review the process of transforming ijarah principles to the development of their varieties, as well as related legal and regulatory provisions as a basis for implementation in the development of financing products in Islamic banking and finance. This research was a qualitative research using a literature study approach with descriptive analysis. This study concludes that several texts from the al-Qur'an and Sunnah explain the concept of ijarah and its permissibility according to sharia. Nash explains at least two types of ijarah, namely ijarah in service and asset leases. Both were revealed in the provisions contained in the KHES, PBI, as well as several DSN MUI fatwas. These regulations form the basis for implementing ijarah, IMBT, and IMFD in various sharia banking products and services.

Temporal–spatial dynamics of typical ecosystem services in the Chaobai River basin in the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei urban megaregion

Human demand for ecosystem services dominates ecosystem changes and impacts the temporal–spatial patterns of ecosystem services and their trade- offs. In the process of urbanization, the supply service, regulation service, and cultural service of the ecosystem are difficult to improve in synergy in the city and its surrounding areas, which is tough for urban construction and development. This study took the Chaobai River basin located in the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei urban megaregion in northern China as the research area. The temporal and spatial changes from 2000 to 2015 of three typical ecosystem services in the study area, including food production, water conservation, and recreation, were evaluated and analyzed through modeling. The ecosystem service hotspots, service-gain areas, and service-loss areas were identified based on spatial analysis. The dynamic change mechanism of ecosystem services was explored from the perspective of land use change and hotspot analysis. The results showed that (1) recreation and food production services showed an increasing trend, while water conservation showed a fluctuating increasing trend. (2) The service-gain area was significantly larger than the service-loss area. (3) The main land use change form in the study area during the study period was the regional conversion of cultivated land to forest land and construction land, which led to the increase in water conservation services and the reduction of food production services in the corresponding patches. However, this conversion did not affect the overall improvement of the three ecosystem services in the study area. (4) Ecosystem service hotspots have gradually changed from being single-service dominant to two co-leading services. The area of food production-recreation hotspots continued to increase, indicating synergy between them. The area of water conservation-recreation hotspots continued to decrease, indicating trade-offs between them. Different types of ecosystem services improve in synergy in the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei urban megaregion in the process of urbanization through the improvement of agricultural technology and productivity and the promotion of leisure and sightseeing agriculture. This provides an example for other cities.

Legal Aspects of Child Protection in the Perspective of National Law

Law Number 39 of 1999 concerning Human Rights in Chapter III Human Rights and Basic Human Freedoms in Part Ten regulates children's rights. The section entitled Rights of the Child provides regulatory provisions which are poured into 15 (fifteen) articles, where in Article 52 Paragraph (2) it is stated that children's rights are human rights and for the benefit of the child's rights are recognized and protected by law even since in the womb. The Unitary State of the Republic of Indonesia in ensuring the welfare of every citizen, one of which is to provide protection for children's rights which is one of human rights. The Indonesian government in its efforts to guarantee and realize the protection and welfare of children is through the establishment of Law Number 23 of 2002 concerning Child Protection. Child Protection as referred to in Article 1 point 2 of the Law is all activities to guarantee and protect children and their rights so that they can live, grow, develop and participate optimally in accordance with human dignity and status, and receive protection from violence and discrimination. Legal protection and the concept of protection for children consist of several aspects including; protection of children's human rights and freedoms, protection of children in the judicial process, protection of children's welfare (in the family, educational and social environment), protection of children in cases of detention and deprivation of liberty, protection of children from all forms of exploitation (enslavement, child trafficking) , prostitution, pornography, trafficking/abuse of drugs, manipulating children in committing crimes and so on), protection of street children, protection of children from the effects of war/armed conflict, protection of children against acts of violence, special attention should be paid to children Problems with the Law (ABH) and the need for application and/or implementation of basic concepts for the protection of children's human rights.

Hemodynamic monitoring in the human temporalis muscle using near-infrared spectroscopy

Objective. Altered temporal muscle perfusion is implicated in several painful disorders afflicting orofacial and head regions, including temporomandibular joint dysfunctions, bruxism, and headache. Knowledge about the regulation of blood supply to the temporalis muscle is limited, due to methodological difficulties. The study aimed to test the feasibility of near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) monitoring of the human temporal muscle. Approach. Twenty-four healthy subjects were monitored with a 2-channel NIRS: a muscle probe placed over the temporal muscle and a brain probe placed on the forehead. A series of teeth clenching at 25, 50, and 75% of maximum voluntary contraction for 20 s and hyperventilation for 90 s at 20 mmHg of end-tidal CO2 were performed, to elicit hemodynamic changes in muscle and brain, respectively. Main results. In twenty responsive subjects, NIRS signals from both probes were consistently different during both tasks. The absolute change in tissue oxygenation index (ΔTOI) as detected by muscle and brain probes was −9.40 ± 12.28 and 0.29 ± 1.54% during teeth clenching (p < 0.01) at 50% maximum voluntary contraction, while −1.03 ± 2.70 and −5.11 ± 3.81% during hyperventilation (p < 0.01), respectively. Significance. Distinct response patterns were observed from the temporal muscle and prefrontal cortex which proves that this technique is adequate to monitor tissue oxygenation and hemodynamic changes in human temporal muscle. Noninvasive and reliable monitoring of hemodynamics in this muscle will help to extend basic and clinical investigations about the peculiar control of blood flow in head muscles.

Перспективы китайско-российского сотрудничества в сфере газонабжения

Cooperation between China and Russia in energy area is an important cornerstone of cooperation between the two countries and a positive force for maintaining global energy security. The total volume of gas supply by 2030 will be at least 98 billion cubic meters plus 100 million tons of liquefied natural gas. The article refers to the market reforms of China’s natural gas market. A fair market competition mechanism has been implemented in natural gas exploration, production, and import. The article reviews the Chinese model of X+1+X marketization in the gas supply market. Conclusions are drawn on the positive trend of gas supply between the Russian Federation and the People’s Republic of China and on the necessity of joint legal research in order to develop the legal regulation of gas supply.