Regulatory Aspects Research Articles

The Impact of Digital Media on Sports Management

The objectives of this research study were (1) to analyze the transformative impact of digital media on sports management practice in Chengdu, (2) to explore the integration of digital platforms and the adoption of advanced technologies in the sports industry, and (3) to identify the challenges faced in the digital age. This hybrid research study employed a combination of quantitative data from online surveys, qualitative insights from semi-structured interviews, and content analysis. The research involved different stakeholder groups in Chengdu’s sports industry, aiming to provide a comprehensive perspective on the utilization of digital media in sports management. Major Findings/Results: (1) The field of sports management in Chengdu has significantly shifted towards digital media, with digital platforms playing a pivotal role in fan participation, marketing strategies, and brand building. Personalized and interactive content has become increasingly preferred by consumers. (2) The study highlighted the importance of advanced technologies such as AI, VR, and 5G in enhancing fan experience and operational efficiency in the sports industry. (3) Key challenges identified include digital rights management, online content regulation, and maintaining fan engagement in a competitive digital landscape. The comparative analysis with global trends revealed both unique and common digital sports management practices in Chengdu. The study underscored the necessity for sports organizations to adapt to the evolving digital environment while considering ethical and regulatory aspects. This research contributes to the academic discourse on sports management in the digital age, offering valuable insights for practitioners and policymakers. It underscores the transformative role of digital media in sports management and advocates for innovative strategies, cultural sensitivity, and ethical integrity in Chengdu’s digital sports landscape.

Omega 3 Fatty Acid as a Health Supplement: An Overview of its Manufacture and Regulatory Aspects

Dietary supplements are used for potential health benefits and are mainly intended to provide those nutrients that may be insufficiently consumed through regular dietary intake. They are mostly made from natural sources and are readily available in the form of capsules, tablets, or liquid form. Nowadays, omega-3 fatty acids (n−3 FAs) supplements are in high demand and have gained noteworthy popularity as the human body cannot produce them, and need to be administrated externally. They are polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) characterized by at least one cis double bond at the third and fourth omega-end carbons, with primary examples being ɑ- linolenic acid (ALA), eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and are classified as functional foods. The natural sources of these supplements include aquatic organisms like freshwater and marine fish, microalgae, seaweeds; nuts and seeds plant oils, and fortified foods. n-3 FAs, being biologically active molecules, are highly susceptible to oxidation due to double bonds in their long chains, leading to degradation over time, during storage. Various encapsulation systems, such as gels, emulsions, and powders, have been developed to effectively encapsulate PUFAs to enhance their chemical stability, dispersibility, and bioavailability. These quality control measures are essential to guarantee the effectiveness and safety of products containing n-3 FAs. This paper explores various sources of omega-3 fatty acid supplements and summarizes the multiple manufacturing techniques used for the production of these products. Additionally, the article tried to correlate quality aspects with the regulations for such products in an attempt to prevent exposure of consumers to harmful ingredients contained within these products. Lastly, potential recommendations for harmonizing the regulation and control of omega-3 supplements are proposed.

DNASCANNER v2: A Web-Based Tool to Analyze the Characteristic Properties of Nucleotide Sequences.

Throughout the process of evolution, DNA undergoes the accumulation of distinct mutations, which can often result in highly organized patterns that serve various essential biological functions. These patterns encompass various genomic elements and provide valuable insights into the regulatory and functional aspects of DNA. The physicochemical, mechanical, thermodynamic, and structural properties of DNA sequences play a crucial role in the formation of specific patterns. These properties contribute to the three-dimensional structure of DNA and influence their interactions with proteins, regulatory elements, and other molecules. In this study, we introduce DNASCANNER v2, an advanced version of our previously published algorithm DNASCANNER for analyzing DNA properties. The current tool is built using the FLASK framework in Python language. Featuring a user-friendly interface tailored for nonspecialized researchers, it offers an extensive analysis of 158 DNA properties, including mono/di/trinucleotide frequencies, structural, physicochemical, thermodynamics, and mechanical properties of DNA sequences. The tool provides downloadable results and offers interactive plots for easy interpretation and comparison between different features. We also demonstrate the utility of DNASCANNER v2 in analyzing splice-site junctions, casposon insertion sequences, and transposon insertion sites (TIS) within the bacterial and human genomes, respectively. We also developed a deep learning module for the prediction of potential TIS in a given nucleotide sequence. In the future, we aim to optimize the performance of this prediction model through extensive training on larger data sets.

Protocol for the development of a consensus practice guideline To address clinical and regulatory barriers to buprenorphine dispensing in community pharmacy

BackgroundLess than half of community pharmacies in the United States stock buprenorphine products indicated for the treatment of opioid use disorder. This lack of access to buprenorphine in community pharmacies is a significant barrier to care. To address this issue, this protocol outlines a comprehensive approach to develop a practice guideline aimed at improving access to safe and effective opioid use disorder treatment in community pharmacies.MethodsThe guideline development process will proceed in three phases, following a technique closely aligned with the Institute of Medicine’s guidance on guideline development. The first phase will involve conducting qualitative interviews with pharmacists in three states to identify their beliefs toward buprenorphine dispensing. As limitations on buprenorphine supply are related to constraints at all levels of the drug supply and regulatory system, the second phase, we will recruit representatives from regulatory agencies, pharmacy organizations, the Drug Enforcement Administration, pharmaceutical wholesalers as well as addiction medicine physicians and psychiatric pharmacists to develop consensus recommendations through a modified Delphi design. This will be followed by a public comment period and external expert review of the recommendations led by the National Association of Boards of Pharmacy. Finally, in the third phase, a national, mixed media dissemination campaign will be led by the National Community Pharmacists Association (NCPA) to convey recommendations to practicing pharmacists.DiscussionThe guideline development process aims to incorporate the perspectives of multiple stakeholders and emphasize the importance of addressing the regulatory and pharmacy-specific aspects of care in addition to clinical evidence and guidance. The development of this guideline will provide targeted, multidisciplinary guidance for pharmacists, improving access to safe and effective opioid use disorder treatment in the community setting.PreregistrationThis protocol was registered with the Open Science Framework in March of 2023. Registration may be found at: https://doi.org/10.17605/OSF.IO/6S9DY.

Fisetin from Dietary Supplement to a Drug Candidate: An Assessment of Potential

Fisetin is a bioactive compound found in numerous fruits and vegetables, including strawberries, apples, grapes, persimmon, cucumber, onion, etc. The compound is also wellknown for its neurotrophic, anti-inflammatory, anti-carcinogenic, anti-diabetic, and other healthpromoting properties. Although there is increasing agreement that it has therapeutic properties, but its poor water solubility, high lipophilicity, and lower oral bioavailability make it difficult to use clinically. Extensive research has attempted to overcome these restrictions by developing novel and superior delivery systems. Considering the diverse potential, this review is the first to summarise the available data on Fisetin to collate the information related to analytical methods, pharmacological action, their mechanisms, regulatory aspects, and toxicity profile. It also covers the marketed products, related clinical trials, and patent updates of the moiety. In addition, an endeavor has been attempted to discuss and assess the various drug delivery systems employed to increase the biological attributes of Fisetin. The presented manuscript is the first to present a compendium of up-to-date literature on all of the domains considered necessary for this type of natural molecule to carve down its path from being a mere dietary supplement to a promising therapeutic drug candidate. The manuscript is expected to benefit the researchers working on natural and bioactive compounds, industrial scientists, and the general population interested in Fesitin.

Commercial spaceflight: Regulatory framework assessment and safety perspectives

Recent years are witnessing the rapid technological development in airspace domain, actually paving the way to the development of a commercial space market. Until the recent past, space operations have been essentially performed by research centers or military agencies, in usually segregated areas to ensure third parties’ safety, governed by launch base regulations and organized in an unscheduled manner. However, with the entry of private companies into the space domain, a new market niche is being created: that of commercial space transportation. For example, a promising area is the one related to operations performed by commercial suborbital flights, whether aimed at space tourism or simply transporting things and/or passengers from one point to another on the Earth's surface. The traffic volumes are supposed to increase in next years and segregating airspace does not represent a sustainable solution for the future.The present paper will first assess the state of the art of the regulatory framework currently applicable to operators in order to obtain authorization to perform space missions for commercial use, then propose a comparison between the United State of America and European regulatory frameworks. Main challenges related to regulatory aspects will be identified and perspectives on possible higher airspace operations integration in the medium-long term will be derived. Finally, safety considerations deriving from a seamless accommodation of higher airspace operations in current Air Traffic Management will be derived for the medium-long term. In conclusion, this work reveals that neither the United States nor Europe has formally approved a legal framework establishing certification procedures for sub-orbital space transport systems. Currently, the US legislation is the most applicable as it has comprehensive rules to allow operators to obtain flight authorization ensuring compliance with requirements through a compliance matrix periodically updated.

Management of dredged marine sediments in Southern France: main keys to large-scale beneficial re-use.

Fifty million cubic meters of marine sediments are dredged each year in France in order to maintain harbor activities and sustain the economy of littoral territories. Because of anthropogenic activities in and around harbors, sediments can contain significant amounts of chemical and organic pollutants whose behavior during dredging must be addressed in order to avoid releasing risks for humans and the environment. French regulations come to govern the management of dredged sediments, considering them "safe" and possible to be dumped at sea or "contaminated" and needed to be treated on land as waste. In recent years, new constraints have been pushed toward the management of land. This management is, however, challenging as few channels are proposed to reuse marine sediments, and elimination appears to be economically and environmentally unsustainable. This study provides an overview of the technical and regulatory aspects related to dredged marine sediment management in France and aims to identify and discuss the limits of their valorization. Dredged sediments are mainly composed of particles with heterogeneous grain size, some being known for many applications such as building materials and growing media. However, several reasons have been put forward to explain why these particles are not reused when extracted from dredged sediments. Several technical, socio-economic, and regulatory obstacles explain the low demand for dredged sediments. This demand can be stimulated by government incentives and a good regulatory framework. National regulations could help streamline their reuse by removing their "waste" status and creating a regulated market for dredged sediment.

RNA-Based vaccine manufacturing: infrastructure, regulations, and global implications

RNA-based vaccines have emerged as a powerful tool in the fight against infectious diseases, including the recent COVID-19 pandemic. However, their successful production requires properly designed facilities for RNA synthesis, purification, and formulation. This review article explores the facility requirements, regulatory aspects, and global implications of specialized RNA vaccine production. It highlights the importance of Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP), equipment and technology in the production process, providing a critical analysis of collaborations, investments, and the establishment of RNA plants around the world. Finally, it addresses the challenges faced by low- and middle-income countries and the role of the "tripod" production model involving collaboration between university, industry, and government. Overall, this document clarifies the most relevant aspects of RNA-based vaccine manufacturing, emphasizing the need for quality, safety, and scalability to meet global health demands.

Integration of Social Network Analysis in the Evaluation of Advertising Communication Effectiveness and Legal Compliance

A fuzzy genetic algorithm (FGA) is a hybrid optimization technique that combines the principles of fuzzy logic with genetic algorithms (GAs). Both fuzzy logic and genetic algorithms are powerful tools for optimization and decision-making in complex, uncertain environments. A Fuzzy Genetic Algorithm (FGA) can be a valuable approach for Social Network Analysis (SNA), where the complexity of social interactions often involves uncertainty and imprecision. This paper proposes an innovative approach to evaluate advertising communication effectiveness and legal compliance by integrating Social Network Analysis (SNA) with Sugeno Fuzzy Genetic Network Analysis (SF-GNA). By combining SNA's insights into communication dynamics and SF-GNA's ability to model complex relationships, the proposed framework offers a comprehensive assessment of advertising campaigns. The integration of SNA enables the identification of influential nodes and communication pathways within social networks, shedding light on the dissemination and reception of advertising messages. Concurrently, SF-GNA facilitates the analysis of legal compliance by assessing the fuzzy relationships between advertising content and regulatory requirements. Social Network Analysis identified key influencers within the network, with nodes A, B, and C demonstrating high centrality scores of 0.85, 0.79, and 0.76, respectively. SF-GNA evaluated the effectiveness of advertising messages, with a membership value of 0.92 indicating strong alignment with consumer preferences and engagement. SF-GNA analyzed the compliance of advertising content with regulatory standards, yielding a compliance score of 0.88, indicating adherence to legal requirements. With Specific regulatory aspects, such as truthfulness and data privacy, were evaluated with membership values of 0.90 and 0.85, respectively, indicating robust compliance.

Revisit and explore the ethylene-independent mechanism of sex expression in cucumber (Cucumis sativus).

This review provides a thorough and comprehensive perspective on the topic of cucumber sexual expression. Specifically, insights into sex expression mediated by pathways other than ethylene are highlighted. Cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.) is a common and important commercial crop that is cultivated and consumed worldwide. Additionally, this species is commonly used as a model for investigating plant sex expression. Cucumbers exhibit a variety of floral arrangements, comprising male, female, and hermaphroditic (bisexual) flowers. Generally, cucumber plants that produce female flowers are typically preferred due to their significant impact on the overall output. Various environmental conditions, such as temperature, light quality, and photoperiod, have been also shown to influence the sex expression in this species. Multiple lines of evidence indicate that ethylene and its biosynthesis genes are crucial in regulating cucumber sex expression. Gibberellins, another well-known phytohormone, can similarly influence cucumber sex expression via an ethylene-independent route. Further studies employing the next-generation sequencing technology also visualized a deeper slice of the molecular mechanism such as the role of the cell cycle program in the cucumber sex expression. This review aims to provide an overview of the sex expression of cucumber including its underlying molecular mechanism and regulatory aspects based on recent investigations.

Enhancing Agricultural Efficiency and Biodiversity Conservation through Nano Pesticides; A Focus on Food Research

Nanotechnology has emerged as a promising approach to addressing the challenges faced by modern agriculture, particularly in the field of crop protection. Nano-pesticides, which are pesticide formulations that incorporate nanomaterials or nanostructures, have garnered significant attention due to their potential to enhance the efficacy of active ingredients while minimizing adverse environmental and health impacts. This review provides a comprehensive overview of on the current state of research on nano-pesticides, focusing on their synthesis, characterization, mode of action, and efficacy in various agricultural applications. The unique physicochemical properties of nanomaterials, such as high surface area to volume ratio, enhanced solubility, and controlled release, are exploited in the development of nano-pesticide formulations. Different types of nano-pesticides, including nanoemulsions, nanoencapsulation, and nanocomposites, are discussed in detail, highlighting their advantages over conventional pesticide formulations. The review also examines the interactions of nano-pesticides with target pests and the environment, as well as their potential toxicity and ecotoxicological effects. The role of nano-pesticides in integrated pest management strategies and their compatibility with sustainable agricultural practices are explored. Furthermore, the review addresses the challenges associated with the commercialization and regulatory aspects of nano-pesticides, emphasizing the need for thorough risk assessment and standardized testing protocols. Future research directions and opportunities for the development of nano-pesticides are outlined, focusing on the optimization of formulations, targeted delivery, and precision agriculture. Overall, this review provides valuable insights into the potential of nano-pesticides as a tool for enhancing agricultural productivity and sustainability while minimizing the negative impacts on biodiversity and food safety.

Bioequivalence trials for the approval of generic drugs in Saudi Arabia: a descriptive analysis of design aspects

BackgroundThis retrospective analysis aimed to comprehensively review the design and regulatory aspects of bioequivalence trials submitted to the Saudi Food and Drug Authority (SFDA) since 2017.MethodsThis was a retrospective, comprehensive analysis study. The Data extracted from the SFDA bioequivalence assessment reports were analyzed for reviewing the overall design and regulatory aspects of the successful bioequivalence trials, exploring the impact of the coefficient of variation of within-subject variability (CVw) on some design aspects, and providing an in-depth assessment of bioequivalence trial submissions that were deemed insufficient in demonstrating bioequivalence.ResultsA total of 590 bioequivalence trials were included of which 521 demonstrated bioequivalence (440 single active pharmaceutical ingredients [APIs] and 81 fixed combinations). Most of the successful trials were for cardiovascular drugs (84 out of 521 [16.1%]), and the 2 × 2 crossover design was used in 455 (87.3%) trials. The sample size tended to increase with the increase in the CVw in trials of single APIs. Biopharmaceutics Classification System Class II and IV drugs accounted for the majority of highly variable drugs (58 out of 82 [70.7%]) in the study. Most of the 51 rejected trials were rejected due to concerns related to the study center (n = 21 [41.2%]).ConclusionThis comprehensive analysis provides valuable insights into the regulatory and design aspects of bioequivalence trials and can inform future research and assist in identifying opportunities for improvement in conducting bioequivalence trials in Saudi Arabia.

Transmucosal Delivery of Peptides and Proteins Through Nanofibers: Current Status and Emerging Developments.

Advancements in recombinant DNA technology have made proteins and peptides available for diagnostic and therapeutic applications, but their effectiveness when taken orally leads to poor patient compliance, requiring clinical administration. Among the alternative routes, transmucosal delivery has the advantage of being noninvasive and bypassing hepato-gastrointestinal clearance. Various mucosal routes-buccal, nasal, pulmonary, rectal, and vaginal-have been explored for delivering these macromolecules. Nanofibers, due to their unique properties like high surface-area-to-volume ratio, mechanical strength, and improved encapsulation efficiency, serve as promising carriers for proteins and peptides. These nanofibers can be tailored for quick dissolution, controlled release, enhanced encapsulation, targeted delivery, and improved bioavailability, offering superior pharmaceutical and pharmacokinetic performance compared to conventional methods. This leads to reduced dosages, fewer side effects, and enhanced patient compliance. Hence, nanofibers hold tremendous potential for protein/peptide delivery, especially through mucosal routes. This review focuses on the therapeutic application of proteins and peptides, challenges faced in their conventional delivery, techniques for fabricating different types of nanofibers and, various nanofiber-based dosage forms, and factors influencing nanofiber generation. Insights pertaining to the precise selection of materials used for fabricating nanofibers and regulatory aspects have been covered. Case studies wherein the use of specific protein/peptide-loaded nanofibers and delivered via oral/vaginal/nasal mucosa for diagnostic/therapeutic use and related preclinical and clinical studies conducted have been included in this review.

IDENTIFIKASI KARAKTERISTIK RUANG KREATIF DALAM MENDUKUNG KOTA KREATIF: STUDI KASUS KOTA BANDUNG

Bandung City exemplifies this as part of the UNESCO Creative Cities Network. While the government establishes creative spaces like the Bandung Creative Hub, organic community-driven spaces also thrive. Each space possesses unique characteristics, but ideal creative spaces should meet criteria related to institutional support, flexible regulations, and diverse human resources. This mixed-methods study aims to identify the characteristics of Bandung's creative spaces based on institutional, regulatory, and human resource aspects. Qualitative data from interviews will be quantitatively assessed to compare with ideal criteria. Understanding these characteristics can inform urban planning and policy for fostering creative economies. Furthermore, creative space is also believed that it can foster creativity, innovation, and knowledge-based economic growth.

Digital transformation in accounting: elevating effectiveness across accounting, auditing, reporting and regulatory compliance

Purpose The study aims to analyse the role of digitisation in accounting in enhancing the overall effectiveness of accounting functions. To achieve this, the study provides empirical evidence from the stakeholder’s perspective of digitisation of accounting, auditing, reporting and regulatory compliance procedures. Design/methodology/approach The study has applied a quantitative approach to identify the thoughts of auditors, accountants and academicians on the impact of digitalised accounting applications on accounting functions. The data was collected by administering an empirical study and a sample of 482 professionals from the accounting, auditing and academic sectors. To analyse and interpret data descriptive statistics, structured equation modelling and mediation analysis has been used. Findings The finding of the study signifies the relevance of digitalised accounting applications in accounting functions and reveals that there is a significant impact of digitalisation on accounting, auditing, reporting and regulatory compliance aspects of accounting functions. The outcome of the study explores that a digitalised accounting system reduces possible errors and improves the accuracy and transparency of the system. Research limitations/implications The study highlighted the importance of developing new methods and techniques that can be used in practice. This indirectly advocates the inclusion of such concepts in accounting curricula to emphasise the need to understand the challenges and opportunities created by digitisation. Furthermore, the study will become a motivation to scholars who intend to explore different areas through which new technologies can be adopted to transform traditional accounting systems. Practical implications The contributions of the current study have implications that the adoption of digitised accounting enhances economic efficiency through a reduction in accounting costs, and enhanced accuracy that leads to the elimination of penalties and litigations for non-compliance with regulatory authorities. This indirectly impacts positively on the financial health of the business organisations and economies at large. This implication becomes greater evidential support to the organisations which are yet to plan the adoption and implementation of digital tools in their organisation for accounting functions. Originality/value Digitalisation is a relevant part of the accounting function to improve efficiency and accuracy. Since accounting and auditing practitioners struggle to control the accuracy and efficiency of transactions. Furthermore, the outcome of the study assists organisations in gaining real-time access to financial data, transforms workflows and empowers management to make timely informed sound decisions, optimise resource allocation, efficient regulatory compliance and so on.

Review of the textbook “Clinical and pharmacological characteristics of biotechnological drugs: from classifications to adverse events”

The European SocIn March 2024, the manual “Clinical and pharmacological characteristics of biotechnological drugs: from classifications to adverse events” was published under general ed. Kolbin A. S. This textbook discusses biotechnological drugs from the perspective of clinical pharmacology. Basic definitions and classifications are given. Pharmacodynamics, phar­macokinetics and adverse events are reviewed. Examples of interactions between biotechnological drugs and small molecules are presented. A separate chapter examines the interchangeability of biological products — from basic terms and definitions of the concept of biosimilarity to regulatory aspects. The Appendix provides examples of clinical applications of therapeutic proteins. The manual is intended for students, residents, graduate students, clinical pharmacologists and physicians of other specialties.

ПЕРСПЕКТИВИ ВИКОРИСТАННЯ ВБУДОВАНИХ ФІНАНСІВ : ІННОВАЦІЇ FINTECH ЛАНДШАФТУ

Formulation of the problem. Noting the rapid development of innovative technologies in the financial sphere, especially in the context of FinTech, today embedded finance is becoming an increasingly important element of the financial ecosystem. Given the diversity and depth of embedded finance's impact on the financial landscape, the challenge lies in understanding the potential of these tools and determining their prospects in the context of innovative FinTech development. The purpose of the study is to analyze the technological, economic and regulatory aspects of the use of embedded finance, as well as to identify their impact on the financial landscape and innovative strategies in FinTech. This research aims to deepen understanding of the potential of these innovative tools and to contribute to the development of the modern financial sector. The object of research is technological platforms, tools and services based on embedded finance, as well as their impact on the economy, business models and the regulatory environment. Scientific publications and monographic editions, magazine articles and materials of scientific and practical conferences became the methodological basis of the research. During the research, content analysis of scientific periodicals was used; comparative critical analysis of existing approaches and methods of analysis of financial stability and tax burden; statistical methods of analysis. The main hypothesis of the study was the assumption of the possibility of integrated finance to become a key catalyst of changes in the financial sphere, ensuring greater efficiency, accessibility and competitiveness of financial services in the future. Presenting main material. Innovative technologies and platforms based on the concept of embedded finance and their potential to change and transform the financial sphere are highlighted. The technological, economic and regulatory aspects of the use of embedded finance are analyzed, and the key challenges and opportunities associated with their application are identified. As a result of the study, it is established that integrated finance can become a significant factor in accelerating the innovative development of the financial sector, improving the quality of financial services, and ensuring greater accessibility and efficiency in the provision of financial products and services. Originality and practical significance. Investigating the impact of innovative technologies on the financial sector, the article draws attention to the underestimated potential of embedded finance as a critical element for the development of innovative strategies in FinTech. The originality lies in the approach to the analysis of embedded finance as a key catalyst of changes in the financial sphere, which opens up new opportunities for improving the quality of financial services and ensuring greater accessibility for users. The analysis of the challenges facing the implementation of embedded finance is shown and indicates ways to overcome them, which makes it a valuable resource for developers of strategies in the financial sphere and regulatory authorities who seek to stimulate innovation and ensure the stability of the financial system. Conclusions and prospects for further research. The performed analysis confirms the great potential of integrated finance for the transformation of the financial sphere, ensuring greater availability, efficiency and quality of financial services. It was revealed that there are certain challenges on the way to the implementation of embedded finance, in particular, related to the regulatory environment, data security and privacy. These obstacles must be overcome in order to fully realize the potential of embedded finance and ensure the sustainable development of the financial sector. Further research could focus on a detailed study of specific aspects of the use of embedded finance, such as their impact on financial inclusion, financial system stability, and the effectiveness of regulatory oversight. In addition, the possibilities of using embedded finance in specific industries such as international payments, micro-finance and investment management can be explored. It is also important to explore the relationship between embedded finance and other innovative technologies such as artificial intelligence, blockchain and the Internet of Things.

Waterpipe Tobaccos, Part I. Composition of Forty Brand-Styles of Contemporary Waterpipe Tobacco Available on the US Market in 2020–2022

Summary The compositions of waterpipe tobaccos available for retail sale on the US market are relatively unknown compared with more popular products such as cigarettes. Indeed, the phrase “waterpipe tobaccos” is used only in some governmental regulations and in journal articles dealing with regulatory aspects of those products. Commercially, the terms “shisha”, “hookah tobaccos”, and “flavored tobaccos” are used. In addition to the differences in commercial terminology, there is also confusion about the composition of such tobaccos, with the term “waterpipe tobacco” also being applied to products on the market that do not contain enough glycerol to prevent combustion during use. Therefore, during the past several years, 40 samples of shisha products on the US market were sent to an ISO 17025 accredited laboratory for the determination of glycerol, propylene glycol, fructose, glucose, and sucrose, in addition to the usual tobacco analytes and water using the Karl Fischer method. Moreover, two surrogate samples of shisha tobacco, one based on flue-cured tobacco and the other based on dark air-cured tobacco, were analyzed by the same laboratory along with samples of the starting tobaccos. The main finding from these analyses was that there were two very different types of shisha tobaccos on the market. One type was based on dark air-cured tobacco and the other type was based on flue-cured tobacco. Among the brand-styles based on flue-cured tobacco, some had higher levels of glycerol and lower levels of added sugars than others that had higher added sugars and lower levels of glycerol. Another important point of differentiation was that the products based on dark air-cured tobacco had much smaller tobacco particle sizes than did those based on flue-cured tobacco. The results of this research as well as other research that will be presented in two subsequent reports showed that waterpipe tobaccos cannot be considered as a single product category. This is particularly true for the determination of emissions using the instrumentation specified in ISO 22486:2019 (Water pipe tobacco smoking machine — Definitions and standard conditions).

Advancements and Applications of Preimplantation Genetic Testing in In Vitro Fertilization: A Comprehensive Review.

Preimplantation genetic testing (PGT) has become an integral component of assisted reproductive technology (ART), offering couples the opportunity to screen embryos for genetic abnormalities before implantation during in vitro fertilization (IVF). This comprehensive review explores the advancements and applications of PGT in IVF, covering its various types, technological developments, clinical applications, efficacy, challenges, regulatory aspects, and future directions. The evolution of PGT techniques, including next-generation sequencing (NGS) and comparative genomic hybridization (CGH), has significantly enhanced the accuracy and reliability of genetic testing in embryos. PGT holds profound implications for the future of ART by improving IVF success rates, reducing the incidence of genetic disorders, and mitigating the emotional and financial burdens associated with failed pregnancies and genetic diseases. Recommendations for clinicians, researchers, and policymakers include staying updated on the latest PGT techniques and guidelines, exploring innovative technologies, establishing clear regulatory frameworks, and fostering collaboration to maximize the potential benefits of PGT in assisted reproduction. Overall, this review provides valuable insights into the current state of PGT and its implications for the field of reproductive medicine.

Nested Markets and the Transition of the Agro-Marketing System towards Sustainability

We are currently witnessing a global transition (albeit slow) towards new, more sustainable models of development and consumption. This transition activates and highlights a series of discrepancies between the various actors in agri-food marketing systems, including the institutions that govern regulatory and trade aspects. These discrepancies highlight that the global agri-marketing system does not provide adequate responses to the principles of sustainability. This is due to a mixture of opportunism, information asymmetries, and ‘lock-in effects’, which create serious market failures. This, in turn, brings structural holes, in which new forms of exchange are born. We identify these as nested markets: hybrid market forms that often use new information technologies and create a new form of proximity in which reciprocity and reputation play a central role. In this article, we argue that the market is not only the place where prices and quantities are assessed. Markets are complex social spaces, where more-or-less stable relationships are formed, based on values of reciprocity and reputation that contain opportunism. This article discusses the many well-documented cases of new markets. This article argues that these new markets are characterized by a strong specificity of the resources used (that include territory, sustainability, and solidarity).